Modifying Temp Gauge

[Calibre]

Am installing a temperature gauge and the wire from the sending unit is just a tad short.

Can these be spliced to a longer length?

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 22:48:49 04/27/10) Am installing a temperature gauge and the wire from the sending unit is just a tad short.

Can these be spliced to a longer length?

Only if you can get the boy at the grocery store to get you a "bag stretcher".

 

[Bob]

You PROBABLY can, if you're the adventurous type!

(But it's not commonly done.)

Did you know the "wire" is a "capillary tube" filled with ether?

Here's a link that will tell you how!
Soldering an ether filled tube, and so forth...

 

[Calibre]

Thanks for the information Bob.

I just thought it was a copper wire that I could splice a section to.

Are they "volt" specific also?

 

[Bob]

NO "Volts" involved unless you get a modern (usually imported) unit that has a light bulb inside and you want to connect it up to light the face at night.

 

[jbyrd]

The OP says he has a 'sending unit' so I would assume that is just using stranded wire from the sending unit to the gauge. You can splice an extra length piece in there as needed, but for cleanliness sake why not just spring for a new length of wire?

BTW I also use a non mechanical water temp gauge. Works great.

 

[Bob]

I considered the possibility he had an electric gauge but they typically don't come with a specific length of wire between the sender and gauge (or, for that matter, ANY wire at all), so I took a chance and ASSUMED (yeah I know) he has a mech gauge. I guess we'll have to wait for further word from the OP!

 

[Greybeard - PA]

New ones to fit N Fords cost only $23 bukzz . . .

Dave Erb
New Holland, PA

 

[Greybeard - PA]

New ones to fit N Fords cost only $23 bukzz . . .

Dave Erb
New Holland, PA

 

[Greg 2N (TX)]

Is it a wire or is it a "capillary" tube?

Are you installing the sender "bulb" at the left front side of the head where a boss is made for that?

Have you checked Hobo"s site for a temperature gauge install?

If it is the standard temp gauge from an auto parts like "Advance Auto Parts" the "capillary" tube should be "plenty" long enough.

Greg

 

[Calibre]

Well, based on your responses, I guess you can tell I know [i:b3a0f70b57][b:b3a0f70b57]nothing[/b:b3a0f70b57][/i:b3a0f70b57]about these gauges. My first forray into the word of temperature gauges. Thanks for all the help guys.

That said, the one I purchased was the Ford specific one from Tractor Supply. My guess is that it is what would be considered the mechanical type. (Don't get that designation as there are no gears or shafts connecting the "sending unit" and the gauge itself.)

When I started my rebuild I did Hobo's modification to the head before sending the engine to the machine shop. Just a little far forward on the engine for the length of [i:b3a0f70b57][b:b3a0f70b57]"wire"[/b:b3a0f70b57][/i:b3a0f70b57] attached to the gauge.

I will assume now, after reading everyones comment, that the gauge is of the capillary tube type. Learnin' something new everyday!

 

[Dell (WA)]

Calibre........when I did the "Hobo Head" temperature conversion, I bought a 3-ft long Stewart-Warner (looks original) temp gauge from a Jaguar parts dealer in Goleta California. Found it on the internet. Fits excellently between cyl-head boss and 8N lefty knee panel blank. .......Dell

 

[Calibre]

Dell,
Thanks for the info on the gauge.

Had "DUH!" moment this afternoon and took the ammeter from the left side of the dash and swapped it with the temp gauge on the right panel of the dash.

Had plenty of cable for the temp gauge and all is now well with the tractor. (At least this portion of my rebuild.)

Thanks to all on YT for all of their assistance. It's been 30 plus years since I jumped into a project like my 9N, but have actually been looking forward to getting up in the morning to work on "Sweet Pea"!