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| Fig. 1. The gauge as found |
The only problem with buying gauges cheap from an antique fair is you have no idea if they work and they are often very dirty. The first point is hardly a problem, as the gauges are cosmetic pieces whether or not they work is really secondary concern. Therefore the priority is to clean the gauges, to do this they must be dismantled and all non-electrical parts can be washed in soapy water.
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| Fig. 2. Dismantling a gauge |
Figure 2 shows how to dismantle the majority of this type of panel meter. There are three small screws around the rear of the gauge (circled in red). Once these are removed all the electrical part of the gauge should simply slide out. The larger screw visible on the face of the meter is a calibration screw used to zero the meter. This does not in any way hold the gauge together. You should then be left with the components shown in figure 4 though these may vary depending on the type of gauge. All of these components apart from the electrical bit with the meter on the front can be washed in warm soapy water. By the time I had done this my water was brown!
When dismantling the gauge I took lots of photos to ensure that it went together in the right order, it is also vitally important you do not bend the needle as these components can be delicate (these gauges aren't really supposed to be opened). Also make sure everything is thoroughly dry before re-assembling. By the end of this I was left with a clean but still old and worn looking gauge.
If anyone has any idea what the letter U.S.N. (stamped on the back of this gauge) stand for please tell me as I am curious.
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| Fig. 4. |
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| Fig. 3. Gauge components |
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