The computer can be good for something besides Porn,so put away the tissues and Google "Ford gauge voltage reducer" and there's pages of info and how the crude original voltage gizmo works and many of original type for sale,that Ebay place.And how to make one that will be an improvement. From the Mopar guys but it might work on a Ford.... http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical2.html
You can get a low amp 12 to 5 or 6 volts reducer from Radio shack in the reducer drawer- for gauges only-for $2, you just solder wires and mount to sheet metal for a heat sink, just did it for my gas gauge works fine. Those ford gauge reducers are $63 at NAPA. An old guy that owns several car stereo shops (since 1959)here in town said they used to put a screw in the center of a 12 volt battery and use it (as a positive terminal) to power all the 6 volt stuff. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS WORKS AND WHERE EXACTLY TO PUT WHAT TYPE OF SCREW?
Yes, it works. Just put a small sheet metal screw into the strap between the center 2 cells if you can find it. Don't go too deep (through the strap into the plates). It used to be easy when the straps were out in the open.
The generic "7806" small integrated circuit voltage reducer works fine for gages. It is an electronic reducer and has about 0.5 amp capacity. This is sufficient for gages, but not for fan or wiper motor. Whole lot cheaper than any resistor type and has stable output. Or go to the junkyard and get one from a 60-70's Ford. I run one on my 37 Chevy Ute's gas gage and it works great. The rest of the gages on most old cars are mechnical: water temp, oil pressure and amps. An amp gage works on 6 or 12 volts, it does not measure volts, it measure current flowing. Many old car amp gages are not enough capacity for modern alternator 60+ amp output, so be careful. I have heard a small 18-20 gage jumper around the gage can keep from spiking it and still allows the ammeter to work. Anyone able to confirm this?
I seldom respond like this because it usually starts a pissing contest. But here goes. Yep, It's just a zener diode.... But this specific diode clips the voltage at 6.8 volts.... Just the voltage that 6 volt gauges were designed to operate at. And it DOES NOT VARY with resistance. Having sold over 5000 of them without one problem says one thing: "They work." AND You don't get 100 percent feedback on Ebay selling shit that doesn't work or that's junk. On the subject of the 7806 IC: They work just fine. They supply 6 volts. The original system supplied 6.5 to 6.8 volts. Is that a problem? NO, They work. I built and sold them for years before I was able to get the diodes. Speedway and others still sell them as the infamous "Runtz Reducer" and I still use them for larger 6 volt supply units but why go to the trouble to "Build" a better more expensive mouse trap when all you need is a Victor mouse trap that catches mice. The zeners get the job done. But I did have problems with the 7806's that I don't have with the zeners. The IC's are susceptible to voltage spikes. Sometimes shorting closed supplying 12 volts which is a very bad thing for King Seeley gauges. It burns them up. Needless to say that was not good for business. What's a gauge worth? What's your time worth? Not everyone has an electronics parts house next door. And some value their time. I know I sure as hell do. I've got 5 projects that aren't getting done and I'm getting older by the minute. $ 3.00 a pop for something that works on a vehicle that you have 10's of thousands of dollars invested in ain't squat. Besides that I guarantee what I sell. 100% satisfaction guaranteed or every dang penny of your hard earned money back in your pocket. Al
I heard it used to be easy to run that screw into the center of a 12 volt battery to get a 6 volt supply (the lead straps ran all across the top under the plastic?) but what I would like to know is how to hit the right spot with a screw in a newer battery? I hear you mostly just hit plastic? This may sound like a rig to most, but I think it might solve the problem of having to buy 22 reducers and motors?? I heard this was done a lot in the early 60's.
Anyone know where to put the screw for 6 volts in a newer 12 volt battery, I heard this used to work great.
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