The Ford Barn

pennies4pennies · 04-20-2014, 01:05 AM

My light mounts at the top of the dash underneath. I have one wirer for the light which connects to the AMP meter. My questions is where do you run the wire to the amp meter? The light I bought has a steel looking cover and is long enough to reach the amp meter. The thing is it would be in the open if I ran it straight to the meter. Plus there is no hole in the instrument cover to run the wire through. Would I have to cut the wire and add on to it and run it across behind the dash and then go behind the gas tank and run it from the back side to the Amp meter?
I would appreciate any help.
Frank

Mike V. Florida · 04-20-2014, 01:31 AM

There should be an indentation on the top left side rim on the instrument panel for the wire.

pennies4pennies · 04-20-2014, 07:23 AM

I don't have one with a indentation. Thanks for the picture. I'll just have to cut one out.

Tom Wesenberg · 04-20-2014, 08:18 AM

As far as which ammeter terminal to connect the wire to, I'd just try one side and see if the meter shows discharge when it's turned on. If it doesn't, then connect to the other terminal. If other words use the terminal that doesn't have the wire running to the starter switch.

I can't tell you driver's side or passenger side because some repro meters read backwards and the wires get switched on the rear of the meter.

Mike · 04-20-2014, 08:26 AM

Becareful of the repro light assemblies, I have had many that were shorted to the cable right out of the box.

mike

Marco Tahtaras · 04-20-2014, 11:48 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You have a panel with the round speedometer and have no notch for the wire?

pennies4pennies · 04-20-2014, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

You have a panel with the round speedometer and have no notch for the wire?

That is correct. It came with the car but was not mounted. I'm sure it's a after market one.
Frank

peters180a/170b · 04-20-2014, 05:11 PM

yes it is a aftermarket one... the wire should be at least 10 inches. It is a round speedometer?

Tim Way · 04-20-2014, 05:11 PM

I had a knock-off instrument panel that didn't have all four mounting screws in it and wouldn't allow me to install a temp gauge using the bottom two screw holes. The two bottom screws were missing and they didn't line up with the thread stationary to the panel. Ordered one from Brattons which all four screws lined up and the off centered notch was present at the top.

I wired the dash light to the hot side of the ignition switch, however, I just converted to 12V. Good luck.

pennies4pennies · 04-20-2014, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

yes it is a aftermarket one... the wire should be at least 10 inches. It is a round speedometer?

The wire is at lease 10" long. I am going to try and cut a little hole for the wirer. I haven't tried the 4 screw hole yet. I guess I should try that first. If not I'll go with Brattons for one.
Thanks for all the reply's. They were all useful.
Frank

04-20-2014, 01:05 AM	#1
pennies4pennies Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New Freedom,PA Posts: 66	1930 insturment panel light My light mounts at the top of the dash underneath. I have one wirer for the light which connects to the AMP meter. My questions is where do you run the wire to the amp meter? The light I bought has a steel looking cover and is long enough to reach the amp meter. The thing is it would be in the open if I ran it straight to the meter. Plus there is no hole in the instrument cover to run the wire through. Would I have to cut the wire and add on to it and run it across behind the dash and then go behind the gas tank and run it from the back side to the Amp meter? I would appreciate any help. Frank

04-20-2014, 07:23 AM	#3
pennies4pennies Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New Freedom,PA Posts: 66	Re: 1930 insturment panel light I don't have one with a indentation. Thanks for the picture. I'll just have to cut one out.

04-20-2014, 08:18 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 1930 insturment panel light As far as which ammeter terminal to connect the wire to, I'd just try one side and see if the meter shows discharge when it's turned on. If it doesn't, then connect to the other terminal. If other words use the terminal that doesn't have the wire running to the starter switch. I can't tell you driver's side or passenger side because some repro meters read backwards and the wires get switched on the rear of the meter.

04-20-2014, 08:26 AM	#5
Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ASTON, PA. Posts: 725	Re: 1930 insturment panel light Becareful of the repro light assemblies, I have had many that were shorted to the cable right out of the box. mike

04-20-2014, 11:48 AM	#6
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: 1930 insturment panel light Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You have a panel with the round speedometer and have no notch for the wire? __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

04-20-2014, 05:11 PM	#8
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: 1930 insturment panel light yes it is a aftermarket one... the wire should be at least 10 inches. It is a round speedometer?

04-20-2014, 05:11 PM	#9
Tim Way Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 12	Re: 1930 insturment panel light I had a knock-off instrument panel that didn't have all four mounting screws in it and wouldn't allow me to install a temp gauge using the bottom two screw holes. The two bottom screws were missing and they didn't line up with the thread stationary to the panel. Ordered one from Brattons which all four screws lined up and the off centered notch was present at the top. I wired the dash light to the hot side of the ignition switch, however, I just converted to 12V. Good luck.