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My 1950 f1
The diagram below is a layout of the LM371T regulator, and how it is
wired into the gauge panel of a 47 Ford pickup. Plugs from an '87 Ford
radio were used to allow external wiring and disconnect in the truck.
That way all the dash stuff could be prewired with the dash out. The note
by the sender schematic says a '47 fuel sender won't match the '88 Ranger
tank used in the project, that might not be the case. In '88 Ford may
have switched back to the same resistance used up to about '48 or so,
so the fuel gauge works perfectly. 47Fred reports that with 2 gallons
in the tank the gauge reads 1/2. Adding another 2 gallons didn't significantly
change the gauge reading. The jury is out on this one.
Remember to use the senders that are designed for your gauges. 47Fred
used at 51 sender with his 46 gauges and the temp gauge read backward.
Also, maximum output on this setup is 1.5-2 amps so it won't run much
more than the guge set (in case you were looking for other applications).
Click here for a larger, more readable version of the
schematic. Below is a photograph of the finished gauge package. This is
a '42-47 dash using '46 sedan gauges.
(the "25" on the amp gauge was the asking price on the set.)
In the photo, the heat sink and LM317 are on the middle right. The adjustable
resistor (actually a 5K pot) is in the center, and a fast blow fuse and
holder on the right. The little green thing above the pot is the fixed
resistor. The two caps. are below the circuit board. All
the nasty wiring is also under the circuit board, which is mounted on
1/4" copper pipe standoffs with screws. The two light holders are
from a '73 to '87 Chevy pick up. They use them for the heater control
light. 47Fred says he grabs one every chance he gets. They come with two
lead wires and a plug in bulb and fit the Ford dash like they were made
for it. He also suggests using blue bulbs from Walmart because they look
cool.
Courtesy of 47Fred
