RE: IML: voltage limiter question

["Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>]

All the voltage "limiter" needs to produce that pulsating voltage is 12
volts on its input wire, and ground to its mounting point, so it must have
those somehow, even though it's sitting on the floor.  

You do have a battery hooked to it, right?  

If not, consult your local magician for the secret - you may have a source
of perpetual motion staring you in the face.  Apply for a patent, quick!

Dick  (Electrical problems: I love them too, but some are truly confusin',
even to me, and I've been chasing electrons around the block for many, many
years).

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tim Durrer
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 6:43 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: voltage limiter question

Thanks, for your reply Dick.
 So why am I getting the pulsating voltage on that
blue wire with the instrument cluster and voltage
limiter out of the car sitting on the floor of the
garage?

I love electrical problems!

Tim Durrer


--- Dick Benjamin <dickb@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> The pulsating voltage is correct, that is the way
> the voltage "limiter"
> works. Its job is to produce approximately 5 volts
> (average) to operate the
> gauges, so it puts out 12 volts for about 42% of the
> time, and 0 volts for
> 58% of the time, that is what makes your meter or
> test light show a variable
> voltage. Since the gauge display units are heat
> operated, they don't react
> quickly enough to be bothered by the pulsating
> voltage.  
> 
> The situation you describe is what it should be,
> except that when you put
> the dash back in, something connected to the
> pulsating voltage wire is
> coming in contact with bare metal, somehow.
> 
> Dick Benjamin
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Tim Durrer
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:08 PM
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: IML: voltage limiter question
> 
> Hello all, I am also having gauge problems on my 73.
> I
> have read all the information on the website,
> studied
> the FSM and have concluded I also have a faulty
> voltage limiter. My problem started when the fuel
> gauge moved past full and the fuse protecting the
> gauge circuit blew. Upon replacing the fuse, it blew
> again in a matter of seconds followed by a small
> puff
> of smoke out of the top of the dash. I have pulled
> the
> instrument panel completely out of the car and I am
> awaiting the delivery of the part.
> 
> My question: The blue wire that was attached to the
> back of the fuel gauge according to the FSM wiring
> diagram goes back to the fuel tank sending unit
> which
> is grounded. Why does my test light come on and the
> light pulsate on this wire when I turn on the
> ignition
> switch? In reading the wiring diagram, current
> should
> flow from the limiter, through the gauge to this
> blue
> wire, to the sending unit and then to ground. If I
> am
> reading this right why am I getting voltage on this
> wire if the dash is completely out of the car? Could
> I
> have a short somewhere else? Incidentally, the fuse
> now holds with instrument panel out of the car.
> 
> Help!
> 
> Tim Durer
> 73 Lebaron
> 
> --- stephen dilley <stephendilley@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > hi, i am back from a hot rod weekend here in in
> the
> > uk, whilst having 
> > problems with failed gauges and high reading oil
> > pressure- now smoke came a 
> > wafting out of the indicator stalk hole on my 60
> > crown. ??? still works 
> > mind. the car is a star and wish to keep it so ...
> > am using it for a wedding on saturday just hope
> she
> > dont go up in flames !!! 
> > how do you get to the cluster??? for limiter?
> should
> > i just fit some remote 
> > modern gauges and leave well alone ? back to the
> > indicator smoke , wots all 
> > that about? also i have a power drain somewhere
> > which leaves a low glow on 
> > the handbrake on light. unable to locate source,
> so
> > av bin removing battery 
> > lead to prevent flat.
> > 
> > 
> > best wishes, steve.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > >From: randalpark@xxxxxxx
> > >Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >Subject: Re: IML: Stupid mistake NOW voltage
> > limiter question
> > >Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:23:34 -0400
> > >
> > >My experience on the voltage limiter has been
> > solely on the 1960 through 
> > >1963 models. I am not aware of the need for it in
> > others being as great as 
> > >in this group of Imperials. On 1960 through 1963,
> > it is SUPER easy, and 
> > >must be done to have working gauges.
> > >
> > >The limiter is attached to the back of the
> cluster.
> > The attachment point 
> > >acts as a ground. The power input is connected to
> > it, instead of the gauge 
> > >with the limiter in it, the output is routed to
> the
> > first gauge with a 
> > >jumper from the new limiter, and then to the
> > remaining gauges with the 
> > >existing wiring.
> > >
> > >I suspect that it is similar to install in other
> > years, but the other years 
> > >may have an external limiter to start with that
> is
> > replaceable. I just 
> > >don't know. I haven't had reason to do it.
> Outside
> > of 1960 through 1963, 
> > >the gauges in my Imperials have worked fine and
> not
> > changed their function 
> > >in any way over time or with mileage. 1960
> through
> > 1963 have ALL required 
> > >replacement of the limiter. This is a chronic
> > problem for those cars. The 
> > >problem has ceased to exist in the 1960-63 models
> > that I have installed the 
> > >external limiter.
> > >
> > >There is extensive discussion about this in the
> OIC
> > site.
> > >
> > >Paul W.
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: mann340s@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >Sent: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 6:49 AM
> > >Subject: IML: Stupid mistake NOW voltage limiter
> > question
> > >
> > >
> > >Paul,
> > >
> > >You mentioned the external voltage limiter in
> your
> > reply.  I have made 
> > >simple electronic limiters for some of my 67
> > A-bodies, but haven't 
> > >replaced/rerouted to bypass a faulty internal
> > limiter.  Is this discussed 
> > >somewhere in our website, or is it simple enough
> to
> > describe again in 
> > >email?  I'll need to do this to at least three
> cars
> > if I ever get that far.
> > >
> > >Thanks,
> > >
> > >Michael
> > >65 Crown (two, neither salvageable)
> > >67 Crown Coupe project
> > >68 Crown
> >
>
>________________________________________________________________________
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> > >IM. All on demand. Always Free.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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