Electroluminescent Gauges
What is electroluminescence? How do these gauges light without bulbs, filaments, or gases? The answer lies in ceramic engineering. The gauges and pointers are composed of laminated layers of material which glow when a high-voltage alternating current is applied. As a result, the pointers are a light source in themselves, as are the gauges. A typical gauge or pointer is composed of several layers:
| The Power Pack. The gauges and pointers are powered by a power pack, which converts the 12 volt D/C to 200 volts A/C at 250 cycles per second. The power pack on a 1960-2 Chrysler or 1960-3 Imperial is mounted on the cowl side panel underneath the instrument panel. On the 1966-67 Chargers, it is mounted to the lower lip of the instrument panel, behind the glove box. | |
These instrument clusters were state-of-the-art when new, but time, moisture, and exposure to the elements can wear on the fragile pieces. If nothing will light in your cluster, or if all the instruments light and then fade out, the problem is likely the power supply. You can simply pull the power supply and mail it to us for rebuilding or exchange. Frequently, the problems are more complex, and you can send the entire cluster to us for free testing, inspection, and a price quote on service. Go here for instructions on pulling the complete cluster.
Please take great care in packing your instrument cluster for shipment. We have found that the gauges themselves survive better if shipped as a whole cluster. Insurance is highly recommended.
Go here for a chart that shows the services we offer on electroluminescent instruments, and the associated charges.
