6V Voltmeter

To directly answer the O/P's question, I have looked for several years and have never found one that would be practical for automotive use. Those made for 12 volts will function, but will either not read low enough or will lack sufficient precision in the voltage range needed to be of much use at all. I have purchased an industrial 0-10 volt gauge that I plan to remove the "guts" from and install them in a spare automotive case, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I want it to use on my engine test stand that I have set up to run both 6 and 12 volts.
 
I just use the guts out of these small 1v or 2v voltmeters. Then use a series dropping resistor to put the needle near mid-scale on a fully charged battery. Typically, the meters run about 2K ohms. So for a 1 volt meter, you'd need about a 23K resistor for a 6.3v battery to put the needle at mid-scale .5v Jack E/NJ


420055
 

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Get a cheap volt/ohm meter if you are not planning a permanent mount. It should be capable of reading a range of voltages. As for current, the best tool is a meter using a a clamp on lead. Otherwise, you need a professional meter equipped to handle the load. At our shop we use a rather expensive "Amprobe" tester so we can measure high currents, such as the battery cable to the starter.
 
tubman said:
"V8" - I wonder what the "X 2" means on the VDO gauge?
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I saw that, and I'm still scratchin' my butt....nary a clue! The key here is that these things were available once upon a time. One place I've found to keep an eye out for this "obscure" kind of stuff is on eBay under the heading of "SCTA" (Southern California Timing Assoc.) All kinds of neat stuff shows-up under that heading. DD
 
It sounds logical, but doesn't that just make it a 12 volt meter? I can see the X1000 on a tachometer, but I don't see the point of this particular voltmeter. If that were still for sale for a reasonable price, I'd buy it just to see what it is.
 
My take on this is the marking is shown and numbered at times 2. ie 2, 4, 6, etc the non marked being the times 1 between the even numbers.
My understanding.
Phil NZ
 
chiefdave said:
Does anyone know of a source for a 6v +ground voltmeter? Thanks.
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Everything I have seen is the wrong diameter, too deep or doesn't look like it belongs in a Model A. What is the whole story? Why don't you just use an ammeter? If your current is too high, add a shunt.

Charlie Stephens
 
If you're going digital and have a cigar lighter socket, you could always get one of these. (Digital meters in these cars should only be temporary anyway.)
 

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A little to "antiquey" looking for my taste, but otherwise exactly right. I wonder if it would be possible to turn that rim off and figure some way to mount it. I bit pricey as well.
 
tubman said:
A little to "antiquey" looking for my taste, but otherwise exactly right. I wonder if it would be possible to turn that rim off and figure some way to mount it. I bit pricey as well.
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Might consider getting with you electronic friend, should be easy to get the voltage corrected from a 12 volt gauge. Then would just need a faceplate for it.
 
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