Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Idiot light help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 21, 2017 | 02:33 PM
  #1  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Idiot light help

Ok I need to run an idiot light for my alternator so what are you guys using led incandescent resistor??
I was thinking led but may need a resistor in addition for it to work any ideas
Oh here is a pic of my current set up

A little rough but it gives me 14.5 v
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:07 PM
  #2  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Well, you won't have to squint to tell if that's lit! I think I'd use an incandescent. Been a long time since I had a car with one, but I recall that sometimes it would glow dimly. I think an LED might be all or nothing?
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:45 PM
  #3  
burnettd01's Avatar
burnettd01
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 803
Likes: 78
From: Lincoln CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Alternator lamp

Roy
Did your Dakota Digital gauges come with a volt meter - does Dakota Digital have a provision for an alt light.

You may want to contact their technical support to see what they suggest.

Most DD dashes have provisions for turn signal, e-brake, and high beam lights. They may be able to help with the Alt light. Worth a phone call anyway.
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:55 PM
  #4  
underthebridgejim's Avatar
underthebridgejim
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
Club FTE Gold Member
Well here I am the idiot, hi Roy. First I was going to tease you but I got beat to the punch. I found a few examples of this project on google for what they are worth. I'm no expert by any stretch but the one thing I remember when I converted to led brake lites was they wouldn't work until I got all the incandescent out of that (each) circuit. But when I put in my back up lites they worked fine off the shifter switch which was just off a common 12v fuse block. Note that each back up lite (LED) fixture assembly did have a circuit board in them doing something. That's all I don't know, good luck my friend.https://www.google.com/search?q=wiri...w=1129&bih=520
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:56 PM
  #5  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Originally Posted by burnettd01
Roy
Did your Dakota Digital gauges come with a volt meter - does Dakota Digital have a provision for an alt light.

You may want to contact their technical support to see what they suggest.

Most DD dashes have provisions for turn signal, e-brake, and high beam lights. They may be able to help with the Alt light. Worth a phone call anyway.
You know I may do just that the gage has v meter and shows correct v but without the light not enough resistance for the alt to make v
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 05:16 PM
  #6  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
Well, you won't have to squint to tell if that's lit! I think I'd use an incandescent. Been a long time since I had a car with one, but I recall that sometimes it would glow dimly. I think an LED might be all or nothing?
The ones I've read on net guys use a resistor with a led but maybe one is made that has led/resistor all in one
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 05:18 PM
  #7  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Originally Posted by underthebridgejim
Well here I am the idiot, hi Roy. First I was going to tease you but I got beat to the punch. I found a few examples of this project on google for what they are worth. I'm no expert by any stretch but the one thing I remember when I converted to led brake lites was they wouldn't work until I got all the incandescent out of that (each) circuit. But when I put in my back up lites they worked fine off the shifter switch which was just off a common 12v fuse block. Note that each back up lite (LED) fixture assembly did have a circuit board in them doing something. That's all I don't know, good luck my friend.https://www.google.com/search?q=wiri...w=1129&bih=520
Thank you jimmy
Yes that's I think I need but also need in put on what other guys have used
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 06:09 PM
  #8  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Originally Posted by schoo
The ones I've read on net guys use a resistor with a led but maybe one is made that has led/resistor all in one
They do make those for brake/taillight bulbs, but I don't know about small bulbs.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 21, 2017 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Will if there is FTE is where the info is
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 08:53 AM
  #10  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
I ended up using a indicator light for the windshield wiper from my E250 parts truck seams to work just a thought do I need a diode? On a circuit like this
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 06:29 PM
  #11  
pbsdaddy's Avatar
pbsdaddy
Hotshot
Veteran: Air Force
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 17,559
Likes: 1,081
From: Central Delaware
I'm running a single LED bulb for my turn signal indicator. Since I have switched to all LEDs, the flasher unit is a heavy duty, (read that commercial vehicle unit), designed to operate, without issue, on multiple LED bulb systems.
For me, it was as simple as taking the indicator lead from the turn signal switch and running to the single bulb in my dashboard. Single bulbs can be bought all over ebay and through other suppliers. I think I have a couple extra laying here. Let me know if you need one.
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 06:35 PM
  #12  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Originally Posted by pbsdaddy
I'm running a single LED bulb for my turn signal indicator. Since I have switched to all LEDs, the flasher unit is a heavy duty, (read that commercial vehicle unit), designed to operate, without issue, on multiple LED bulb systems.
For me, it was as simple as taking the indicator lead from the turn signal switch and running to the single bulb in my dashboard. Single bulbs can be bought all over ebay and through other suppliers. I think I have a couple extra laying here. Let me know if you need one.
Thanks I'm good with what I have, just concerned with back feed from the alternator I don't know very much about magic(electrical)
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 08:13 PM
  #13  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
If the engine wants to keep running after you turn off the key, then you need a diode. Otherwise, not needed. Note that a diode might allow you to run an LED because they have a definite resistance even in the "forward" direction.
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 08:29 PM
  #14  
schoo's Avatar
schoo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 44
From: placer county usa?
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
If the engine wants to keep running after you turn off the key, then you need a diode. Otherwise, not needed. Note that a diode might allow you to run an LED because they have a definite resistance even in the "forward" direction.
Thanks Ross it turns off
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 08:53 PM
  #15  
tip49's Avatar
tip49
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Wire from alternator

Not sure what year your 302 is but my '90 5.0L has a wire from the alternator that used to run back to the instrument panel, and idiot light. I think the wire is green with red tracer or red with green tracer. ( I would have to confirm that.) The incandescant light bulb was parallel connected to the wire with the gauge and then ground. I currently do not have it connected, but do have a wiring diagram for my donor.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:33 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE