I want to shorten the wire lead on a mechanical temperature gauge. It appears to be a single copper strand protected by a chrome spring. Can I just cut and solder............has anybody tried this before? If it can be cut and soldered, it would make a lot neater install, with a small hole in the firewall and a straighter run of wire to the sensor. Thanks amigos.
Unit is gas filled and if you cut it all the gas will leave and it won't work. Some instrument companies can shorten it and refill but I have no idea what the cost would be.
Its not a wire lead, its a hollow capillary tube. Don't cut it! The bulb in the end heats up in the engine and the gas inside expands raising the pressure in the tube. The guage is actually a pressure gauge that is calibrated to measure the temp in relation to the pressure in the tube.
This is a DIY job. See the link: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228272&highlight=temp+gauge+repair It is easier than you'd think!
I have looped them up under the dash where the'd be out of the way. Make the loop as big as possible so you don't kink the tube, then tie wrap it so it won't tend to uncoil and short against something hot. Bob
To loop, wind it gently around something like a tin can to get a neat stack of coils. You can hide it under the dash, or polish the copper and have the coil in the engine compartment, a common old racecar thing.
The Jalopy Journal
