7 replies to this topic

[KSTANDSTEVE]

Has anyone fixed their 3 clock dash with this method;-

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=146533

Did it fix the problem and also how hot does your new voltage regulator get?

Both my fuel and temp guages read zero but after the mod there is no change and my new voltage reg gets VERY hot.

Any ideas?

[dklawson]

Well... Stormintrooper (who wrote the article) did the conversion.

If the voltage regulator chip gets very, very hot, look for two things. 1) Make sure the chip you bought has the same pin out as the one shown in the FAQ you linked to. If the pin out is different you may have all sorts of problems. 2) There is always the possibility that one of the gauge sending unit wires or traces on the gauge cluster has a short to earth. If there is such a short, the voltage regulator will supply its full output (either 1 or 1.5 Amps) and that full current draw will get the chip quite hot.

[KSTANDSTEVE]

Cheers for reply

The regulator i bought had the same ref as the one in the article.
As regards the pin outs there was no diagram supplied with the unit from maplins so I just fitted it "as shown" in the photos ie 1, 2 & 3 from the left when the regulator is held with flat back against the desk.
From the guide;-
1 = Input
2 = Output
3 = Ground
But like I say there was no fitting instructions from maplin so not sure if this is correct. Just checked the regulator and altho there is some writing on it the 3 terminals are not labelled. I will mail maplins and see if they can confirm.

Have checked the circuit board on the back of the dash and nothing is touching anything it shouldnt.

[KSTANDSTEVE]

Just been on maplin website and downloaded a pdf sheet for the regulator.

The pin out has changed on these units it would appear!!

1 = Input
2 = Ground
3 = Output

I will change them over and refit
Will let you know how it goes.

Steve

[KSTANDSTEVE]

Yep thats done the trick the guages now work and the regulator gets warm but thats all.

I think the guide should be updated so that the pin outs are clear as this could quite easily cause a fire behind the dash.
On Maplin website If you find the regulator N38CA and click on MEDIA you will find the pdf with the pin out info (as I list above).

Steve

[dklawson]

As a footnote to the work you have undertaken, I mentioned to Stormintrooper when he was doing this work that it would be a good idea to mount the voltage regulator on a metal surface behind the dash to act as a heat sink. If you made the leads long enough I encourage you to do the same. The chip will be a lot happier that way.

[KSTANDSTEVE]

Cheers Doug, will see if there is a suitable location for it given the wire length I have adopted.

[splintercat]

Did this mod some time ago after my voltage reg went kaput on my centre speedo conversion. However I opened up the old regulator and replaced the insides with the new solid state one from Maplins. i soldered the pins to their correct positions so that I could still use the spade terminals and then replaced the can lid. Voilka.......looks perfect but is more reliable and cheaper....