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Interchangable Rheostats?

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I have a '79 Spitfire and recently burnt up the rheostat/dimmer through some bad wiring decisions. I have 2 questions. First, I connected the red wires with the red and white wires so that the console lights would burn. I'm not running a risk of burning something else up or shorting something am I? Also, I saw a rheostat on e-bay for a TR3. Is this rheostat interchangeable with mine? It looks the same but I would hate to buy it and it not work. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sir- Get rid of that Rheostat and by pass it. Those things are an invitation for your to be a car-b-que on the side of the road. If you want to stay with the stock look keep the switch in the dash and by pass it.
don
 
I don't think any rheostat will cause a CBQ. But the original ones will eventually wear out and cause the dash lights to go out. I don't know the resistance range of the factory original, but I'd be willing to bet that you could get one with similar specs at radioshack or some other electronics place. Moss may even carry one at a much heftier price too.
 
In honesty, how often do you change your instrument lights brightness setting? The Sprites just have a simple on/off switch. In reality, even at the brightest, our dash lights are dim at best. A simple switch should be sufficient. Not to mention a heck of a lot cheaper.
Jeff
 
As I was told when I bought my Volvo, the dashboard dimmer switch provides three settings... dim, dimmer, and off. I already plan to bypass the non-function dimmer in my '79 Spit (probably later this week as I continue work on my stereo intstallation).
 
I got a dimmer rheo off eBay for almost nothing... was a Rolls Royce part. I don't think those guys are cruisin' eBay for bargains. Works great -- adjusts the panel lights all the way from 'too dim' to 'way to dim'.

IOW - as suggested, consider bypassing it.
 
Kenny,your must be joking . That little switch has caused 10 fires I know of and I can't imagine how many others!
sorry
don
 
[ QUOTE ]
As I was told when I bought my Volvo, the dashboard dimmer switch provides three settings... dim, dimmer, and off.

[/ QUOTE ]

Robyn, I thought that was "Off, Dim, and Flicker."
Or the old alternative of "Smoke, Smolder, and Ignite."
Jeff
 
I bypassed mine long ago. Died on me one night while driving, lost the dash lights for the rest of the way home. Even in my modern cars I never touch the thing, so I had no problem with losing that capability in the 6. Left it in place so it looks stock.
 
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