12v Gauges

[rotorwrench]

I'm not sure if Randy Rundle coined the term "runtz" or not. He started making the little single gauge regulators for folks that converted to 12-volt to run in the GAR (Great American Race) a long time ago. I haven't looked at one to be certain but from his description it appears that it is a switching semi-conductor regulator with capacitors added. Some folks market them under that name but they are basically a modern semi-conductor zener type diode that will only pass the rated voltage. I don't think these things can short through. They generally just go open circuit when they give up the goat.

Personally, I just live with the 6-volt system since it was good enough for grandpop. If I was going 12-volt, I think I would find some gauges and senders from a later model vehicle or aftermarket that would fit and work well and just convert the whole shebang. It wouldn't really be that much more difficult than adding regulators or dropping resistors or the like and you could actually get all the stuff to work right. At least for a while anyway.

 

[flatheadmurre]

If you want a better dissipating "zener diode" you only need a mosfet semiconductor a resistor and a zenerdiode for voltage reference.
Just google zener mosfet regulator...still burning off as much energy in the zener as in the gage.
Anything 2 pin inline with the gage will burn off energy to drop it...you need groundreference to make it a true voltage regulator.

 

[38bill]

My truck had no electrical wiring or bulbs so I went 12V from the start. I modified my gauge cluster using a couple of 12V units from a 60's Ford truck (temp and volts) and using 7806 regulators on the oil pressure gauge and fuel gauge. Ford seems to have used the round (2"+-) gauges for many years and applications so they were cheap and easy to find in a 12V. I ditched the liquid thermometer and replaced it with a temp gauge so I had to do a little graphic work on the computer but other than that it was easy and they work great.

 

[estout81]

mike42,
Attach bracket to any available screw on back of gauge panel and connect wire from ignition switch that went to gauges to one side of regulator. Install a wire from other side of regulator to gauges. Done! And, this is what Ford did starting in '57. Forgot, not polarity sensitive.