1953 Ford pick up. All gauges are electric. I know the amp meter is OK with 12 volts. I know 3 Runtz resisters would work. Is there an easier way?????
Call Ron Frances and get a CVR (constant voltage reducer). I think his VR-4 unit will solve your problem. https://www.ronfrancis.com/searchprods.asp
Go with the Runtz voltage reducers. You can make them yourself for about $3 each. See this thread: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/how-to-build-a-voltage-regulator-for-3.448038/
Easier? It can't get much easier than this ...unless you have somebody else get up under the dash for ya... Get a copy of this book ..it will tell you everything you need to know, and they even word it so you can understand it and they got picture's also. Sent from my SM-T387V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Get a ford guage cluster voltage regulator. Ford guages up through the the 80s are all actually 6 volt guages. They have a small voltage reducer on the back of the guage cluster that all guage voltage goes through first, dropping the 12 to 6 volts. I like to use one for a 66 bronco. Costs about 30 bucks at napa and wont flake out like a runtz. Here is a link to one on rock auto. This is the best way to do old guages to a 12 volt system. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...cal,instrument+cluster+voltage+regulator,4885
Nailhead nailed it ^^^ Here's one.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1967-1...272443695092?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
Na I head is right. Ford used 6v, king seeley style gauges from 1957 until 1985. Millions and millions of Ford products on the road using that system so why use other, less effective items? Also, since they are 6v, they will interchange with original 6v gauges of early models. Just find a gauge of the correct sweep and swap the face and needle from the original. I've been going that since the early 70's and not one problem. I prefer using a B9A CVR since it uses studs as opposed to later ones with snaps to fit a printed circuit board. B9A is Ford speak for 1959 passenger car.. NAPA carries them.
Didnt know the 59 one had studs. I use the early bronco one because it had space terminals instead of the snap ones. I'll use a B9A for the next one for sure.
I would not recommend the “VOLT-A-DROP” style of resistor. Bought a car that someone used one and fried the newly restored radio. That style works ok for heater or wiper motors, but anything with low draw like gauges or clocks can get too much voltage. Radios have a large current draw when first turned on and the resistor-type drop does not respond fast enough. I have tried several different ways to do 6 to 12 including building my own voltage limiting units with success. Having said that, the Runtz units work well for gauges and I have had good luck with them, just my experience
I’m not sure what you are showing is off of, but as mentioned in the dash of Ford’s and Dodges up to the 80’s are 12 to 6 volt reducers. They work for all the dash gauges.
Yup it will drop it for all the gauges, just run the power for all the gauges through it and your good. Thats how my 39 is set up right now.
This is my 1948 F1 . Debating weather to use it or a vintage looking separate speedo / quad gauge and make the stock dash cutout round on the right side.
Use the original gauges, they are the reason we drive old cars, it's the look. Anyone can buy new gauges.
I´m in the same boat right now converting my 51 chevy truck from 6v to 12v. I have a buddy that swears he converted his truck without using a voltage reducer for his fuel gauge, he is just running it at 12v and it seems to work. I have no clue how accurate it is though. I was aware of the runtz reducers and have a few in stock, but now that I ´ve learned about the Ford 6v dash reducer, I´m gonna use one of these. Thanks for the heads up!
A transistor electronic voltage regulator is real cheap and easy. Look up a L7806 or ECG962 as examples. These are 12-30v input and 6v 1A output. Use one on my 37 Chevy fuel gage and it works great. The electronic reducer is about 1/2 inch square with three wire connections. Very small, and easy to use. You can find them on ebay for less than $1 each. See example link here, 4 of them for $2.54 and shipped from USA: https://www.ebay.com/itm/7806-L7806...2-Amp-4-Pack/233473053815?hash=item365c141477
I am doing a 53 Dodge and sent the gauge cluster to Ron at Williamson Instruments for 12v upgrading. Give him a call or e/mail. Cluster comes back looking like new with no problems.
Gauge Voltage Reducer 12 volts to 6 volts Oil Gas Temp Gauges 1 UNIT RUNS ALL 3A | eBay I have used this and had good luck. You can run multiple gauges with it.
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