Gage lights blowing out after new alternator

[CoachH]

I've been restoring a '54 with my daughter. It didnt run when we bought it. But we just replaced the generator with an alternator and finished up some other items and got it running. But the lights on the dash keep blowing. I dont know if its related to the alternator as we didnt have them working before we changed that. It had already been converted to a 12 volt system.

When we took it for its first drive it ran great, but over the 15 minute drive each one of the lights on the speedometer gage blew, and so did all 4 lights on the other gage.

Anyone have ideas what would cause that?

[b-mac]

Are they 6 volt lamps receiving 12 volts now?

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by b-mac

Are they 6 volt lamps receiving 12 volts now?

He beat me to it. Have you put in the correct 12 Volt replacement bulbs for the stock six volt bulbs or are you just asking the parts guy for dash bulbs for a 54 Chevy pickup?

This chart gives the 6 12 and 24 volt bulbs that are the same size. http://www.fme-cat.com/Docs/4102.pdf

[CoachH]

Thanks guys! I think that was it. I assumed the last guy put the right bulbs in when he converted it to a 12 volt so I just brought the ones that were in the gauges and replaced them. I'll try the others and see how that works.

[mr48chev]

You should be able to find a number on the bulbs and compare it to the numbers on the chart I posted in post 3 to tell. That also gives you the 12 V replacement to ask for.