dashboard resistors

[BCA]

I just measured the resistor on a Mk2 panel: This resistor which stands alone without a fuse block, (unlike the Mk1 resistor which also has a fuse block) measures a bit under 1 Ohm. The trick would be have it in a running carrier and see if the voltage at the coil was about 4.5 ohms. Rob: you said your resistor measures 4 Ohms; chatter on other vintage Ford flathead sites suggest this may be too high and cause the coil to receive too low a voltage. When you get it all assembled and running then test the voltage at the coil and see if it is 4.5 volts.
It would appear that the Windsor Carrier and the T16 Carrier, both being 12 volt vehicles use a "voltage divider": 2 resistors on a mounting block (see Michael R's photo). Two chores are necessary: drop 12 volts to 6 volts for the gauges, and drop 12 volts to 4.5 volts for the coil (assuming the Windsor and T16 coils like 4.5 volts.) I can't prove this theory since the T16 wiring diagram is very poor and I do not have a Windsor wiring diagram.
The resistors on the T16 voltage divider are different: one is about 4.5 ohms and the other is about 6.5 ohms. If they are useful for other applications then I have them in stock..... Brian

[Euan McDonald]

I have restored my dash as per the manual wiring diagram and used the original circuit breaker and one of Keith's NOS ignition resistor. I also found a NOS voltage reg, not sure if its a vibrating reg?

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Euan McDonald

, not sure if its a vibrating reg?

They might be refering to the vibrating points in the voltage reg. circuit ? I think these devices also have vibrating points as current limiters ? The other of the three contact is the battery isolator. Mike

BTW you can salvage Ni chrome wire from old domestic electric heater elements , and custom design your own resistors to suit your needs . The former needs to be ceramic or some other heat tolerant material.