Moisture under dash (gauges)

[PILOON]

The quality of gauges used in tractors could probably best be described as 'water resistant' and not 'water proof'.
Generally there is a paper gasket between the glass and shell which I'm sure is more of a vibration damper than a seal.
Looking at the backsides of most gauges you will always find some gaps that allow humid air and dust to enter.

On the plus side many, if not most, of the working innards are brass and the dials generally aluminum.
Downside is most printing fades with time.

Water and dust proof gauges would have them up into aircraft (jets) quality instruments and the dash would be worth as much as the tractor.

FYI, many small aircraft (Cessna, Piper) gauges (RPM, temp, pressure) are simply adaptations of your common tractor (automotive) gauges.
Even the fuel gauges use the typical cork float technique in the sender unit.

 

[Deano]

The moisture in my BX24 caused the LCD to gradually go black after 300 hours. I got a new instrument cluster at that point under warranty. Tractor is kept in garage. Now when I wash my tractor, I remove instrument cluster. There are vent holes in the back that will allow moisture to dissipate.

 

[geneP]

I have owned a Case-IH for over 10 years and it has been shedded all that time. When the tractor warms up moisture appears under the temp and fuel gauge glasses and has ever since I've had it. I have an L5450 that I don't think had ever seen a shed until I got it and the gauges are fine on it.

 

[dfran1]

Thanks to all, BUT it seems my temp guage is not working at all, it shows all the bars on start but nothing after, I even let it run for 1/2 hour to test. I contacted my dealer on it.

It seems I am going to have this dew problem big time caused by my cab, so I need to look into some type of insulation to stuff under the gauge somehow and some type of insulation, maybe that fire insulation found on cars or??

Any Ideas please?

 

[dfran1]

I fixed my temp guage, wire was off. (And it was not me that pulled it or by accident)

 

[BXman98]

Hi ,
I took delivery this past Friday and have had moisture under the gauges, I think it is starting to go away (I parked it in the sun but it has not been that hot or worm here) but is there a way to take it apart without voiding warranty?

Is this normal?

Thanks to all!!

This is typical on BX's, I had that happen on my BX2370 as well. I contacted my dealer, and luckily that it was within the 2 year warranty still, they just ordered and whole new dash for it and we brought the tractor up to them to replace it. It took about 15 mins, but remember the hours that you had on your first dash. They can't reset or represet the hours on the new dash.

 

[dfran1]

I ordered some of this below and a new summertime air vent (below dash where the battery goes), so I will put this insulation under the dash guage and to my winter vent.
Hood Insulation Pad


The tractor gets air from below in the winter and both in summer.

 

[dfran1]

I received my insulation pad and put some under the gauges, what a pain, I wish I knew how to get the gauges off, that would have been easier for sure. I am not sure if I have it all covered because there is just way too much in the way under there.
I also made a winter insulated vent, was a little hard getting it in, I broke one tab, but seems good so far, winter will tell how I did on that.

 

[PeterK]

For winter, I made a vinyl cover that velcros to the outside front of the air inlet screen (battery cover). I sewed a layer of thin auto carpet to give it rigidity. Of course, remove the plastic blocks to let (un-screened) air come in from below for winter cooling. No issue if you don't have a cab in the winter.