Crazy temp gauge idea

[Blown Gasket]

This may sound like a crazy idea but when I worked I was paid to come up with crazy ideas. In my new "A" which is going to ship Monday I would like to have a temp gauge. I bought one about a year ago for my backhoe but never needed it. It's 12V and will not work on 6 so I thought about it and came up with this. I would drill the water outlet, not buy a new one and silver braze a brass fitting in it for the sender. Then buy a 12 volt sealed rechargeable battery, $20 find a place to store it, it's small. Then put a seat sensor switch in the drivers side seat so it was only on when sitting and driving. Now hide the wires as best as I can. Has it been done?

[Jack Shaft]

Yep,gotta admit thats definitely a crazy idea.

[alexiskai]

If you're committed to using it, why not put a 6V-12V step-up converter in the circuit instead?

[katy]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

If you're committed to using it, why not put a 6V-12V step-up converter in the circuit instead?

Ditto

[Synchro909]

It doesn't take much of an overheat episode to crack a Model A block (usually at #2 or #3 exhaust port to the cylinder). The way we drive these cars is nothing like the way they were expected to be driven when they were made which makes overheating a much more likely occurrence. One of the first things I do is install a temp gauge.

[AL in NY]

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OMI: Buy a good mechanical temperature gauge for $50.00 and do away with all the excess batteries and wiring.

[Blown Gasket]

My crazy idea has come to an end and I will buy new mechanical one. What convinced me was when I looked at my new gauge bought over a year ago for my backhoe it reads in Celsius with 120 max. If I had that in the car I would forget and freak out.

[radiation]

Originally Posted by Blown Gasket

This may sound like a crazy idea but when I worked I was paid to come up with crazy ideas. In my new "A" which is going to ship Monday I would like to have a temp gauge. I bought one about a year ago for my backhoe but never needed it. It's 12V and will not work on 6 so I thought about it and came up with this. I would drill the water outlet, not buy a new one and silver braze a brass fitting in it for the sender. Then buy a 12 volt sealed rechargeable battery, $20 find a place to store it, it's small. Then put a seat sensor switch in the drivers side seat so it was only on when sitting and driving. Now hide the wires as best as I can. Has it been done?

I think that the only reason you require power is for the light bulb, mine came with both 6 and 12 volt bulbs and I just used the 6 volt one!

[Blown Gasket]

I have everything and don't need to buy anything. It also is simple two wire and independent of the 6V system.

[1crosscut]

If power is only needed for the light then problem solved. However I think your idea is rather clever.

[Jack Shaft]

Yeah, I might have been a little harsh..so why not go all the way? I work on that stuff you got the gauge from. I copied the latest systems, a relay controlled fuse protected harness, relays allow my switches to see milliamps instead of full load like an A.. Not only that but I am fully expandable and using 12v I have more amperage to expand with..60a instead of the generators 30a .

[Jordan]

a new mechanical temp gauge is literally $20 at the auto stores or tractor supply. Why not just save the headache and do that since it's simple and wayyy less work than you're describing.

[Floats]

Gasket
These cars have been going fine for nearly a 100 years, without a temp gauge. Why would you want a temp gauge and where would you place the gauge?

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Floats

Gasket
These cars have been going fine for nearly a 100 years, without a temp gauge. Why would you want a temp gauge and where would you place the gauge?

I totally agree ! Causing yourself all this work and grief for no logical reason. Let it be !

[Blown Gasket]

When I was young nothing bothered me but now that I some how got old everything bothers me. It's like what if we go for a ride and the A breaks down, how do we get home? When you are old things both in the car and house bother you and you worry, "what if". We have a 2016 Sequoia with 25,000 miles on it and I started to worry about the battery going bad so I had the battery out of the backhoe for the winter and I put it in the back of the car with jumper cables so it my wife got stuck she could get back home. I put in a new battery a couple of weeks ago now it's good. Just you wait if you are younger, you'll see. Oh, I'm retired and have time on my hands to just play.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Blown Gasket

When I was young nothing bothered me but now that I some how got old everything bothers me. It's like what if we go for a ride and the A breaks down, how do we get home? When you are old things both in the car and house bother you and you worry, "what if". We have a 2016 Sequoia with 25,000 miles on it and I started to worry about the battery going bad so I had the battery out of the backhoe for the winter and I put it in the back of the car with jumper cables so it my wife got stuck she could get back home. I put in a new battery a couple of weeks ago now it's good. Just you wait if you are younger, you'll see. Oh, I'm retired and have time on my hands to just play.

Sounds like a AAA membership will solve some of your problems. Peace of mind is priceless!

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Floats

Gasket
These cars have been going fine for nearly a 100 years, without a temp gauge. Why would you want a temp gauge and where would you place the gauge?

I have a new radiator in my tourer and a new pressurised radiator in my ute. Both '28. Today and next 4 days are forecast to be 38c (100F) or excess. Keeping them cool is still a problem even with a 5 blade plastic fan and shroud. I have installed a temp gauge in the ute and am converting to 12v before I can connect. I am about to install one in the tourer which is now 12v. In addition I carry 10 litres of water in each vehicle.
However because I need a temp gauge I am not saying that you or others do. Many of you don't live in a hot climate.
My gauge is placed on the steering column. The cross bar between the mudguards would be another place unless you are short sighted. Appearance is important but practicality more so.
These are my views and I am not intending to be contrary or argumentative or to appear authoritative.

[J Franklin]

They make a motometer for your car that looks period correct and doesn't need any electricity.

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

They make a motometer for your car that looks period correct and doesn't need any electricity.

I have a moto meter on mine and the only time it registers anything is when it's too late. It doesn't touch the coolant so it only reads steam. I put a temp gauge in mine and wouldn't run without it but that is just me. I would be trilled if the MM read actual coolant temp accurately but my experience is that they don't.

[bob from red oak]

Your "crazy idea" sounds innovative and fun to make for someone with time and someone who enjoys tinkering. I simply got a digital hand held infared thermometer and it gives me accurate temps and no construction or alterations to anything on the A.