Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

[Jeff B.]

The battery gauge on my 67 is acting up and needs to be replaced. It is over 50 years old. The fluid in the gauge has either evaporated or leaked out over time. Advice needed whether to purchase an NOS gauge (probably also about 50 years old), or a freshly made reproduction. No guarantee that an NOS won't go bad (or be bad out of the box), compared to a "fresh" reproduction. Any suggestions?

[Guest]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

make sure it the gauge Jeff

[Richard G.]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Gauge function can confirmed using a 1/2 dead 1.5V battery.
Or even by turning on the headlights with the motor off.
However, it does seem the gauge might indeed need help.

For the record I had mine rebuilt and it failed to work right out of the box.
Instead of waiting for the warranted work I purchased a NOS gauge.
It has worked flawless for over a year.
Rick

[Jeff B.]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Danny:
Pretty sure it is gauge. With everything turned off, the needle will point straight up to "0". Turn on headlights and/or ignition, and gauge will indicate a discharge. Turn everything back off, and needle with return to 0. Start car, and needle will show +20. Turn car off and needle "sticks" at +20. Turn on headlights, and needle remains at +20. If you repeatably "beat" on dash with knuckles, needle will finally vibrate back to 0. Start car, and it goes back to +20 and sticks again. Remains stuck even overnight. Guess there is a tight spot at the +20 mark.

[Dick W.]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Danny:
Pretty sure it is gauge. With everything turned off, the needle will point straight up to "0". Turn on headlights and/or ignition, and gauge will indicate a discharge. Turn everything back off, and needle with return to 0. Start car, and needle will show +20. Turn car off and needle "sticks" at +20. Turn on headlights, and needle remains at +20. If you repeatably "beat" on dash with knuckles, needle will finally vibrate back to 0. Start car, and it goes back to +20 and sticks again. Remains stuck even overnight. Guess there is a tight spot at the +20 mark.

Carefully remove the guage and add a VERY small droplet of 3 and 1 oil or something similar on the pivot points. My guess is the lube has dried out.

[Guest]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Danny:
Pretty sure it is gauge. With everything turned off, the needle will point straight up to "0". Turn on headlights and/or ignition, and gauge will indicate a discharge. Turn everything back off, and needle with return to 0. Start car, and needle will show +20. Turn car off and needle "sticks" at +20. Turn on headlights, and needle remains at +20. If you repeatably "beat" on dash with knuckles, needle will finally vibrate back to 0. Start car, and it goes back to +20 and sticks again. Remains stuck even overnight. Guess there is a tight spot at the +20 mark.

Have you check the voltage behind gauge both side's should have battery 12 voltage and check connection on horn relay and voltage regulator before changing the gauge

[Richard G.]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Both side have battery voltage...
The gauge is really a volt meter measuring voltage drop.
Amps are inferred and marked on the face.

[Jeff B.]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Originally Posted by Jeff Bartlett (3541)
Danny:
Pretty sure it is gauge. With everything turned off, the needle will point straight up to "0". Turn on headlights and/or ignition, and gauge will indicate a discharge. Turn everything back off, and needle with return to 0. Start car, and needle will show +20. Turn car off and needle "sticks" at +20. Turn on headlights, and needle remains at +20. If you repeatably "beat" on dash with knuckles, needle will finally vibrate back to 0. Start car, and it goes back to +20 and sticks again. Remains stuck even overnight. Guess there is a tight spot at the +20 mark.

Have you check the voltage behind gauge both side's should have battery 12 voltage and check connection on horn relay and voltage regulator before changing the gauge

Checked voltage wires plugged into gauge, and both show 12volts. When needle is pointing at 0 with everything turned off, it moves to left (discharge) whenever a drain on battery (door open, headlights turned on, ign switch on, etc). Turn everything off and needle returns to 0. Start car, and needle immediately jumps to about +20 (first line), but no further. I remember that needle use to immediately jump to around +40, and starting falling back after a few seconds. Eventually back close to 0 after driving a while. It now goes to about +20, no further, and remains "stuck" there until everything turned off and have to hammer on dash to vibrate needle back to 0. I plan to remove gauge this weekend and try Dick's suggestion to lube the needle. Or, may just have to replace gauge. Everything with the charging system seems to be just fine.

[Ken A.]

Re: Need to replace 1967 Battery (amp) Gauge

Skip the oil as the lube was a dab of silicone grease. A good gauge repairer can relube it but not without a special tool. Buy a new gauge & be done with it.