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Thread: RS gauges in my 1300L

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    RS gauges in my 1300L

    Click image for larger version Name:	89897622-5B98-4DB8-BC90-6D2860D44663.jpeg Views:	70 Size:	23.4 KB ID:	85808
    Hello

    I have recently fitted RS gauges to my 1300L Mk2 (with 2L zetec fitted)
    With the standard gauges, the temp and fuel readings were always accurate, whereas with the new gauges the readings are a lot less than they should be. When I took this photo I had just filled up the tank £20 and the cooling fan was on indicating the engine is up to temperature. My guess is it may need new senders to suit the new gauges, can anyone confirm or come across this before?
    Any help much appreciated.

    Thank you, Matt

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    Racer Decade Plus User rallyrob's Avatar

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Not so sure about the fuel guage as it's the standard tank I presume, so shouldn't make any difference. What engine temp sender are you using, we recently put a St170 in a Sierra that had an 1800 pinto in originally and just used the pinto sender, it works just fine.

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    I changed the temperature sender fairly recently, it was one of the white/grey ones I believe but I’ll check this.
    Thanks for your reply!

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    If both are reading incorrect it is possibly the voltage regulator going bad. Gauges easily checked by earthing the sender wire with ign. on - should go full scale.

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Quote Originally Posted by katana View Post
    If both are reading incorrect it is possibly the voltage regulator going bad. Gauges easily checked by earthing the sender wire with ign. on - should go full scale.
    I take it you mean the voltage regulator on the rear of the clocks then?

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    yes

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    Racer Decade Plus User rallyrob's Avatar

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Ok cheers. See I am learning something.

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    I have just tested my temperature gauge by earthing the wire to the sender, the temperature gauge goes to the red so that works fine. Does this indicate I need a new voltage regulator? Thanks

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Quote Originally Posted by matta777 View Post
    I have just tested my temperature gauge by earthing the wire to the sender, the temperature gauge goes to the red so that works fine. Does this indicate I need a new voltage regulator? Thanks
    And the fuel gauge? if this works full scale on grounding then it would imply the gauges are getting correct voltages. Low readings then down to wiring or senders but it would be odd for both senders to have a 'hissy fit' at the same time!

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    I thought I should update this, as I fixed the issue over the weekend after leaving it alone since this thread 9 months ago. My hope is that one day it might help someone out with a similar issue!
    It turned out to be the voltage regulator, which I didn't expect as it seemed to "pass" when I tested it, it just gave inaccurate readings.
    A quick google search showed it is hard to find a new voltage regulator, so I bought a modern solid state 5V voltage regulator off ebay for roughly £1.
    I unclipped the metal case, removed the internals and soldered in the solid state regulator which works perfectly, £1 and half an hour of soldering and I was very happy.
    The regulator is part number L7805CV.
    Ill attach photos below hopefully this may help someone one day.
    Thanks.

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Click image for larger version Name:	voltage regulator 1.jpg Views:	36 Size:	110.8 KB ID:	86774Click image for larger version Name:	voltage regulator 2.jpg Views:	36 Size:	64.2 KB ID:	86775Click image for larger version Name:	voltage regulator 3.jpg Views:	35 Size:	139.5 KB ID:	86776Click image for larger version Name:	voltage regulator 4.jpg Views:	36 Size:	128.7 KB ID:	86777Click image for larger version Name:	voltage regulator 5.jpg Views:	36 Size:	93.9 KB ID:	86778

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Did you just cut off the centre pin?

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Looking at the photo I guess matta pop-riveted the regulator to the old housing thereby earthing the regulator.
    Two remarks. To operate properly the regulator needs a bypass capacitor on input and output. If omitted the regulator can oscillate easily. The maximum power the regulator can dissipate (without heatsink) is 2 W. With an output voltage of 5 V, an input voltage of 14 V and 2 gauges (full-out) this 2 W is not enough.
    But, you can't get everything for just £1 !

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    Re: RS gauges in my 1300L

    Yes I cut the centre pin off as the backplate and centre pin are internally connected, meaning riveting it to hold it in place is also the earth as Miniliteman has said.
    Thanks for your reply Miniliteman, I'll look into this as it'd be nice to further improve it. Just to confirm, it'd benefit from bypass capacitors on both input & output and a heatsink to be more efficient? I'll see if I run into any issues with it over time as at the moment it appears to work faultlessly. Thanks!

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