water temp gauge and 2 senders

[gearheadbill]

I have a newly purchased 34 pickup with a fresh EAC 8BA engine; converted to 12 volts with S/W gauges. Each head has a temp sending unit installed and both seem to be wired to the one gauge. Doesn't seem like it would work well. The temp gauge itself needs to be replaced as it reads 160 when the engine is cold.

I'm not that versed in all things flathead but the couple that I've had only used one sender. I do understand that 2 different senders, one with 1 output and another with 2 outputs (drivers or passenger side dependant) can be used but that's not the question.

Won't differing temps, one head to the other, "confuse" the gauge?

[meric42]

The single (RH head) terminal one is the temperature sender and the dual terminal (LH head) one is only a switch that goes open when the temperature of the engine is too hot. the wiring goes from the single through the double to the gauge.

[JSeery]

Assuming these are aftermarket senders connected to the SW gauge, the original type of senders are not relevant. You can't connect two senders to one gauge (again assuming aftermarket gauge and sending units). It is common to run two senders each connected to it's own gauge for a two temp gauge system.

[BillM]

You should wire it like this; center terminal to the gauge, senders to outer term's. Switch is a SPDT On - On.

[chap52]

I just went to two separate aftermarket gauges each with it's own sender. These are mounted in a three gauge bracket under the dash along with an a/m oil pressure gauge. You can even hide them in the glove box if you don't want them to show

[RalphM]

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Best with two senders and two gauges.

[gearheadbill]

Thanks for the input from all. My main takeaway from this is that once I get to actually working on the truck I should look for an already installed switch that toggles between senders. 2 senders, one switch=one gauge. Makes sense to me. Two gauges would be even better but probably not for now.

[RalphG]

Just working from memory (risky I know) but pretty sure my 52 Merc has a heat sender on each head and I need to have both connected to make the original gauge work.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by RalphG

Just working from memory (risky I know) but pretty sure my 52 Merc has a heat sender on each head and I need to have both connected to make the original gauge work.

That's correct for an original gauge (sender unit and preset switch unit), but not for an aftermarket gauge. Although I guess you might be able to use some kind of switching unit with the aftermarket sender if you were so incline. Just have to figure out what the gauge is looking for.

[paul2748]

I did the same thing - just toggle what side you want to see


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Originally Posted by BillM

You should wire it like this; center terminal to the gauge, senders to outer term's. Switch is a SPDT On - On.