replacing Yanmar 1300 idiot lights need pics

[kmosabe]

I have looked at all the posted threads, I know what I need to replace the lights with gauges, many excellent posts. My problem is with my smaller 1300, cutting into the dash will be extremely tight, being smaller, might have room for one gauge and that is it. Was wondering if those out there with smaller tractors--1401, 1300, 1100 etc, have changed over to gauges and if so, do you have any pictures? Thanks

 

[California]

Think twice before butchering that tractor. Gauges seem to be the first 'improvement' many new owners make, even before they are familiar with the machine.

I'm not convinced that gauges are an improvement. The more I use my tractor, the more I appreciate that Yanmar got it right in reducing its complexity to an elegant minimum.

I bought an expensive temp gauge before I read right here on TBN how important it is to clean the radiator screen frequently. As soon as I began frequent maintenance of the screen, the tractor never ran hot again.

Anybody want to buy a never-installed gauge that would look at home on a lowered Honda Civic? I think it's this one:
ATM-4437 - Auto Meter Ultra-Lite Series Gauges: Engine Temperature

 

[YM1500D DUDE]

Ditto here, I am thinking the same for my 1500D.

 

[BruceR]

you might look for a gauge package that has a chrome bezel to hold the gauges, no cutting, just drill holes for few mounting screws....

Bruce

 

[kenmac]

I kept my lights. Didn't want to cut my tractor up. Can't locate a good place to mount a gauge with it's original gauge bracket.

 

[normde2001]

"Think twice before butchering that tractor. Gauges seem to be the first 'improvement' many new owners make, even before they are familiar with the machine.
I'm not convinced that gauges are an improvement. The more I use my tractor, the more I appreciate that Yanmar got it right in reducing its complexity to an elegant minimum"


I agree, California, most guys seem to want to install gauges as an alternative to fixing their problem, or before fixing their problem, (which could have been done without the gauges ).

 

[kmosabe]

I have looked at all the posted threads, I know what I need to replace the lights with gauges, many excellent posts. My problem is with my smaller 1300, cutting into the dash will be extremely tight, being smaller, might have room for one gauge and that is it. Was wondering if those out there with smaller tractors--1401, 1300, 1100 etc, have changed over to gauges and if so, do you have any pictures? Thanks

I am ok with being a purist and leaving the lights, really want peace of mind the temp light is working, is there an easy way to check the light/sender?

 

[California]

easy way to check the light/sender?

The overheat sensor is a grounding device. With the 'ignition' on but engine NOT running, go to the sensor (on the head near upper radiator hose) and slide the connector upward just enough to slip in a bare wire to ground. This should light the lamp.

The manual recommends remove and test the bulb at some standard interval. I think this ground-wire test is less less likely to damage the bulb socket.

Don't mess with the 3-lamp panel in the dash unless you have to. It is one of the few parts that ages badly in the old Yanmars and may crumble if you disassemble it roughly. Fortunately, replacements are readily available.

Edit - I had forgotten how rough my Yanmar looked when I bought it. That lamp set on the right was dangling down by the decompression lever! I bought two used panel sets (stripped from customer return VN refurbs) so now I'm set for the next 20 years.

 

[kmosabe]

The overheat sensor is a grounding device. With the 'ignition' on but engine NOT running, go to the sensor (on the head near upper radiator hose) and slide the connector upward just enough to slip in a bare wire to ground. This should light the lamp.

The manual recommends remove and test the bulb at some standard interval. I think this ground-wire test is less less likely to damage the bulb socket.

Don't mess with the 3-lamp panel in the dash unless you have to. It is one of the few parts that ages badly in the old Yanmars and may crumble if you disassemble it roughly. Fortunately, replacements are readily available.

Edit - I had forgotten how rough my Yanmar looked when I bought it. That lamp set on the right was dangling down by the decompression lever! I bought two used panel sets (stripped from customer return VN refurbs) so now I'm set for the next 20 years.

California, went to autozone, bought a bulb replacement for the bad bulb instead of buying the gauges. Put the bulb in, shorted to ground as you instructed, light lit. Thanks. Now knowing that it works, hopefully sensor will kick in when it is supposed to, but hopefully, I will never reach that point.

 

[kenmac]

The overheat sensor is a grounding device. With the 'ignition' on but engine NOT running, go to the sensor (on the head near upper radiator hose) and slide the connector upward just enough to slip in a bare wire to ground. This should light the lamp.





Good idea to ground the sensor out from time to time to make sure all is still working correctly