temperature sender question
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 892
Likes: 85
From: Western Massachusetts
temperature sender question
Is a temperature sender specific to 6 or 12 volt systems? I need one. Currently the truck is 6 volt but will likely convert to 12. Thanks
Bob
Bob
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 128
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
Yep, I think so, but nothing is ever that easy, but what about the dash gauge, if it’s electric the ohms have to match wouldn’t they? 
(Matching ohms are really hard to find, kind of like smart hockey goalies)
I think there are many threads about this; did you have any luck trying various search headings?
(Matching ohms are really hard to find, kind of like smart hockey goalies)
I think there are many threads about this; did you have any luck trying various search headings?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 1
From: mohave valley, arizona
i know for a fact that if your system was 6 volt then get a 6 volt sending unit. i had a 55 f100, 6 volt positive ground, converted it to 12 volts and bought a 12 volt sending unit and installed it, no way did it read right. i was at a wrecking yard and saw a old v8 Flathead and pulled the sending unit out of it, my gauge worked great after that. a shop told me that the gauges didnt know the difference. id check with some of the old timers that are familiar with this to make sure but i know what i was told and what worked for me.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Temp sender.
Hotrod has it right. The sender and gauge are a matched set. Voltage, polarity and ohms resistance. Not just min and max ohms, but the linear curve, or you get false readings. Mixing and matching is nearly impossible.
Get a sending unit that matches the gauge (ie, original for the vehicle and engine that came in it.) The sender doesn't care what engine it is in. It just translates heat into ohms resistance. When you switch to 12v, get a reducer to keep the dash gauge at 6v.
Get a sending unit that matches the gauge (ie, original for the vehicle and engine that came in it.) The sender doesn't care what engine it is in. It just translates heat into ohms resistance. When you switch to 12v, get a reducer to keep the dash gauge at 6v.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 2
From: Arvada, CO
All you need is a 6v regulator that bolts to the back of the gauge and can use original gauge and sending unit. You buy one regulator for each gauge so that makes a total of three, water, oil and gas. I did this on a 51 panel and kept the original gauges and mounted the flathead sending units into brass adpaters onto the late model engine. Works great.
fifthavenueinternetgarage.com sells them among other places.
fifthavenueinternetgarage.com sells them among other places.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 1
From: mohave valley, arizona
all i did on my conversion, was, 12v generator and regulator, 12 volt lights, windshield motor and i believe heater motor, coil and i think thats it. left the 6 volt starter and never had any problems, plus my 55 was my work truck at the time so i drove it every day for years.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 892
Likes: 85
From: Western Massachusetts
Thanks guys. Now I need to ask Bill number dummy about the original part number. My book shows the illustration number but can't find the corresponding part number. Thanks again.
