dashboard resistors

[BCA]

I have been playing with voltage dividers from the T16 instrument panel. They consist of an insulated block on which there are mounted 2 resistor with metal grills, in series. A single similar-looking resistor is in the Canadian Mk2 Carrier panel. I'm not sure what is in a Mk1 panel. Lots of Ford products probably used these to reduce the voltage for the coil. In the T16, which is 12 volts, I think one resistor reduces voltage to be suitable for the gauges and the 2nd resistor is for the coil.
Has anyone measured the resistance any of the resistors use on Canadian Carriers or the American T16? I am hoping for some interchange since I have extra T16 resistors: my cheap ohmmeter says one is 4 ohms and one is 7 ohms. Similar to Mk1 or Mk 2 ??
... Brian

[rob love]

Brian
I apologize for the late response, but I am currently wiring my mk1 dash, and was just replacing the resistor/fuze assembly today.

I got a new assembly from Mac's auto and measured the resistance of both the original and the new one. Both measured at 4 ohms. In the case of the mk1, the resistor would be for the reduction in voltage to the coil.

The screws on the new one will not be any good for the carrier (too log and too bright), so I will have to salvage the old ones. You also have to salvage the old spacer/insulator for underneath this assy. But otherwise it is spot on. FUC=03 lists it as 11A-12250 although Mac's part number is 47-14615-1 with an alternate of 40-12250-A.

[Mike Cecil]

I thought the Ford system was a (1) system circuit breaker and (2) a resistor for reduction of voltage from 6 to 4.5 volts for the coil - not two resistors.

The image shown shows a (repro?) item the same as available from Macs Ford Parts. It consists of a a fuse holder (which acts as a one-time circuit breaker) where normally a cage with a mechanical circuit breaker was located. The other end is the resistor (6 V to 4.5 V).

Or have my many years of Ford experience deserted me and I've got this completely c****d up??

Mike C

[Mike K]

Hi

One thing to watch out for is , if they are wire wound resistors ,typically made with nichrome wire , the resistance value will change as the resistor heats up . There will be both cold and hot ohm values .

You might be better off using a solid state device mounted on a heatsink .

Those Ford ignition systems are a pain in the bum .

[Lynn Eades]

I am waiting for a definitive answer to Brian's question, from someone.

Mike C. the LP2 carrier has the resistor for the coil (6v to 4.5 v) and the vibrating regulator for the generator if my memory serves me correctly.
This depends on the type of generator (2 or 3 brush) I think the other type has the cut out in the dash unit. I may be wrong about this. I can't remember.

Mike K. That is how it was supposed to work with Henry's set up.
When you turn on the key, you get 6 volts to the coil, which equals (hopefully) a big fat spark while cranking to start (It might drop anyhow because of the load)
A few seconds on, the Nichrome wire has heated up (the guard has a purpose) generating its internal resistance to flow, and dropping the output voltage to 4.5 volts, the operating voltage of the old Ford ignition systems.

Brian. I imagine you are on the right track. The Ford commercial gauges were the same for all (early?)vehicles, either 6 or 12 volt. The 12 volt vehicles had the resistors fitted to the back of the instrument cluster.
Macs sell them, and you need 3 of them for the fuel, oil, and temp gauges. I understand there is a more expensive single unit that will do all three.
Can you post photos, details (resistance) and a price for what you have for sale, please?
It would be interesting to know what the operating voltage of the T16 coil is.
If it is 9 volts, then it will have a resistor. It's all about an easy starting system.

What I learned from Mike K. tonight is that it is called Nichrome NOT the lifetimes misconception that it was Michrome wire.

BTW Rob, you can buy the Nichrome wire, if you wanted to rewind your original resistor.

[Mike Cecil]

Ni Chrome - Nickel-chromium wire, freely available in various gauges.

vibrating regulator? enlighten me, please.

The voltage regulator is a big rectangular box, on a different mount from my experience.

Mike C