Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Howard, thanks for the quick eval and recommendation. I ordered one and it will be here next Tuesday.

Craig

Thanks craig.

That buck looks good. I have used others for my model trains. And they work good.

All:

I finally got around to testing the Drok 12V to 5V (adjustable) "transformer". The instruments now appear to move correctly, but the accuracy is unknown though. I'm going to replace the 3 senders.

Anyway, the original chopper was definitely broken and was providing 12V, not 5V average. So, you can use the Drok in place of it.

https://www.amazon.com/DROK-Waterproof-Converter-Adjustable-Transformer/dp/B00C0KL1OM/ref=pd_lpo_23_tr_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z7NH7WSSDW6GJXFD3VQ0

Craig

Excellent news. Does your meter have an amp scale where you could measure the current required by the 3 gauges? Am curious how much the heaters are pulling out of the regulator and with the constant 5 volts it would be easy to check.

Yes, my meter goes to 10A. I'll check it when I get the 3 new senders.

Craig

Thanks craig.

Hh. Knows i had same question..thanks for taking charge..

I think 3 amps is plenty. By looking at wiring diagram. Easy to install. At the fuse box. To bypass regulator

Thanks..

I received the FG97A (JC Whitney #) fuel tank level sender and tested it with the Drok 12V to 5V transformer on my 56 400 instrument cluster fuel gauge. Both "E" and "F" are exactly indicated when the sender is bottomed and topped out. The reading in between seemed somewhat non-linear though.

This is the same part listed in the Xref (57 Ford).

I haven't purchased the OP or TEMP senders yet, but as I posted above those gauges do move when connected to the old senders and subjected to hot water (temp) or air pressure (oil)

Craig

Since the Packard method of testing all the gauges was to use a fuel sender I would expect the oil and temp senders would have a similar output to the standard 10-73 ohm range of the fuel sender. The OP6091 oil sender from Napa has been proven to work by several and the TS4 temp sensor seems to have a similar output in the working area of 125-212 degrees

One thing on the Ford fuel sender to check is the arm length. Apparently Ford still had two sizes of tanks in the 50s just like Packard had before 51. Some of the Ford senders have shorter arms for their small and I assume thinner tanks and will read incorrectly in our tanks.