Instruments Condensation

[chris27_blue]

Same problem of condensation in gauges, when driving out- whatever season, worse in winter

Ventilation hole strategically placed may benefit, but where? And will it make water ingress worse.

Think the gauge glass' are glass. Not plastic- will check
Maybe a weeny hole through the retaining bezel

No doubt will just put up with it- or create an overide switch for the instrument panel deleting the sidelights

[Chris]

Easiest way is to drive with your side lights on. The heat from the instrument bulbs will dry the moisture out.

That would also be a method for myself as I only use the standard tungsten filament type, may not work with
LED's due to minimum warmth ?
LED's are good and use them for quite a good few applications especially around the house.
I personally can't see the point with LED's for instrument bulbs (although very easy to change too) for our type of vehicles, over many years I can just about count on one hand how many replacement bulbs I have used and that includes my daily drivers .
Led's are fantastic on push bike lights compared to the old tungsten's, they light up unlite roads perfectly and the
battery life isn't bad even with non re-chargables .
My views on LEDS's .
Chris.

[Dek]

Easiest way is to drive with your side lights on. The heat from the instrument bulbs will dry the moisture out.

[JON1D]

No, Smith and Stuart Warner gauges, both get condensation. S.W.30 year old gauges and they work fine and no rust. My car is stored in a garage with good air flow. Its the temperature variation as do get with double glazing. I would not be concerned its a character of an open top car.
I have not yet noticed it on my ETB gauges yet to see any condensation. 
 

[Don350]

Well, that is odd. Are they Smiths or ETB gauges? If ETB, may be worth asking them, I've always found John at ETB very helpful.
Regards, Don

[gdearcangelis@tteur.com]

Thanks for your replies!
It happens driving out but in dry day.
Also I think it started recently, not sure why.

[Don350]

In damp weather and in winter, we get condensation, more like misting up, on some of the gauges when we're out for a drive, but not when the car is in the garage. Garage is nothing special, single skin brick with flat roof.
You didn't say if this when you car is in a garage or out driving?
Regards, Don

[Chris]

Some may say otherwise, with my experience with original smiths gauges this has happened from time to time
for thirty odd years with no lasting issues, no rusting etc .
My garage is relatively well ventilated so no rusting tools etc .
I am aware that you can get packaging crystals that can be used to keep moisture out, I have never actually bought any of this stuff as I used to remove the sachets from the boxes that contained engineering equipment for
free.
The other way of dealing with moisture was to leave a saucer of salt in strategic places, I've never really had any real issues with moisture but either of these solutions can't do any harm .
Chris.

[gdearcangelis@tteur.com]

I see condensation in the gauges (water and oil).
Should I be concerned?
How to resolve?