Hidden switch next to push start?
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Second what Jersey_Devil said. Its the instrument cluster light switch. I've wondered why you would turn your instrument lights off but have the park/head lights on still. Its cool to see how things have evolved since 1950 in the truck world.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,361
Likes: 1,723
From: AKRON ohio
1951and newer had the rheostat Abe
This is 50 and older
There I fixed it thanks
This is 50 and older
There I fixed it thanks
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: South Jersey
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 552
From: Kalispell, MT
I used my 48 F1 as a daily driver for 10 years. If you drive one of these at night you can't dim the dash lights - the switch turns them off for better visibility. That's where the idea for the rheostat came from.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Yep, you guys are right it’s for the instrument cluster lights or gauge lights.
since we’re on the topic, I plan on upgrading to 12V part of the conversion is the gauges and gauge lights. If I interrupt the switch with s voltage regulator should this take care of the entire circuit or are the gauges and lights a separate circuit?
since we’re on the topic, I plan on upgrading to 12V part of the conversion is the gauges and gauge lights. If I interrupt the switch with s voltage regulator should this take care of the entire circuit or are the gauges and lights a separate circuit?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Yep, you guys are right it’s for the instrument cluster lights or gauge lights.
since we’re on the topic, I plan on upgrading to 12V part of the conversion is the gauges and gauge lights. If I interrupt the switch with s voltage regulator should this take care of the entire circuit or are the gauges and lights a separate circuit?
since we’re on the topic, I plan on upgrading to 12V part of the conversion is the gauges and gauge lights. If I interrupt the switch with s voltage regulator should this take care of the entire circuit or are the gauges and lights a separate circuit?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 235
Likes: 25
From: Solvang CA
It is the year 1949.
You are out on your farm, or between your farm and the City, at night.
No moon, no City lights, no freeway lights. Maybe the REA has not even gotten to your county yet.
No traffic behind or in front. Very very dark.
Even with that dim 6 volt bulb, dash is too bright. Needs to be turned off.
Try recreating the above sometime.
Also don't forget --- 6 volts using generator for charging.
Might seem like a small amount for 1 bulb, but using a charger that doesn't charge at idle or even very much at all at low rpm, and every watt (amp) begins to count when in the middle of nowhere, going slow on a dark narrow road, high beams on, all with battery about to give up the ghost.
You are out on your farm, or between your farm and the City, at night.
No moon, no City lights, no freeway lights. Maybe the REA has not even gotten to your county yet.
No traffic behind or in front. Very very dark.
Even with that dim 6 volt bulb, dash is too bright. Needs to be turned off.
Try recreating the above sometime.
Also don't forget --- 6 volts using generator for charging.
Might seem like a small amount for 1 bulb, but using a charger that doesn't charge at idle or even very much at all at low rpm, and every watt (amp) begins to count when in the middle of nowhere, going slow on a dark narrow road, high beams on, all with battery about to give up the ghost.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,365
Likes: 5,377
From: Central PA
It is the year 1949.
You are out on your farm, or between your farm and the City, at night.
No moon, no City lights, no freeway lights. Maybe the REA has not even gotten to your county yet.
No traffic behind or in front. Very very dark.
Even with that dim 6 volt bulb, dash is too bright. Needs to be turned off.
Try recreating the above sometime.
Also don't forget --- 6 volts using generator for charging.
Might seem like a small amount for 1 bulb, but using a charger that doesn't charge at idle or even very much at all at low rpm, and every watt (amp) begins to count when in the middle of nowhere, going slow on a dark narrow road, high beams on, all with battery about to give up the ghost.
You are out on your farm, or between your farm and the City, at night.
No moon, no City lights, no freeway lights. Maybe the REA has not even gotten to your county yet.
No traffic behind or in front. Very very dark.
Even with that dim 6 volt bulb, dash is too bright. Needs to be turned off.
Try recreating the above sometime.
Also don't forget --- 6 volts using generator for charging.
Might seem like a small amount for 1 bulb, but using a charger that doesn't charge at idle or even very much at all at low rpm, and every watt (amp) begins to count when in the middle of nowhere, going slow on a dark narrow road, high beams on, all with battery about to give up the ghost.
That's why I always kept an old towel or rag handy in my truck when it was my daily driver.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Just rub a pack of Bull Durham over the glass. Works wonders (don't smoke it though).