Hey Guys, I was wondering if anybody knows of chain auto parts stores that sell runtz?? I am starting to re-wire the car tomorrow, and I forgot all about needing 1 runtz for my gas gauge. The car was switched from 6v to 12v and no gas gauge. I did see the post on how to make yer own, but honestly I would rather pick one up with directions for installation, I checked Radio Shack for a voltage reducer and no luck, so i figured I would ask....Thanks for the help!
local NAPA should have it listed as voltage reducer. Most keep them in stock if I need to get you a part number let me know. I just picked one up for my 46 chev.
They are voltage regulators. LM7806 is the p/n, but a 7805 will work, and I know Radio Shack sells the 7805.
Ok I found the part number from Radio Shack, is it a problem that its made to go to 5v?? Also the NAPA part number would be great...and the real question is-do I just hook it inline from the power source to the gas gauge or ??? I know whith the runtz they have instructions for idiots like me!!!
Borg warner makes voltage reducers the catalog has several diff types I got mine from O'Reilly's. Go up there and ask for the picture catalog behind the counter if you call you'll get nowhere.
I ordered a runtz, used it once for about five minutes, then it burned out. Then I bought some vdo guages and ruined the look. I then talked to flat Ernie and he enlightened me as to using cvr's (constant voltage reducer) and a 60ohm resister on the voltage guage to keep it steady with the genny.
Is it OK for a guy with about 57 years wrenching on my own cars, but never for a living by working on other people's cars, to ask, What te Hell is a "runtz"? Dave
New name for a voltage reducer for 6v guages on a 12v car I looked on NAPAonline today and could not find them.
Runtz are to used 1 per gauge only, a little different from the old voltage reducers which arent meant for gauges.
Seeing as I work for O'Reilly's and I sell a lot of parts to guys with older cars, I thought I would chime in with a part number. The voltage reducer is part number VR1. It is made by Borg-Warner. There are variations on this part, but this is the basic one.
I never heard of a Runtz either. Anyways, I sometimes buy surplus electronic stuff off of ebay. The last time I got "integrated circuit regulators" in 6v constant output, with a very unusual 3 amp rating. Got maybe 6 or 8 in a bag for less that $10 shipped. I used one on a 6 to 12 tach and it worked slick. Lots of IC regs are rated at only 250 to 500 milli-amps (that's 1/4 to 1/2 amp), which "should" be OK for low amp gas gauges.
Can't you get an old mid '60 Ford VD, that way you only need one for all gauges instead of one Runtz for each or am I missing something in the translation?
I don't see why that wouldn't work for the gauges. The gauges on the 60s Fords were 6 volt gauges and the Instrument panel voltage regulator would take the 12 volts coming in and reduce it to the 6 volts required for the gauges to function.
That may work fine...........but I worked in a Ford garage in the 60's and those things were a common failure item. So, if you want to run one, buy two, and keep a spare on hand. That will ensure the one in the dash WON'T fail prematurely..... Ray
ok guys but how are they hooked up?? I hsve seen guys saying that their ground was off and stuff like that, but it looks to be a 1 wire hook-up. I would have to guess that it is hooked up inline behind the gauge throught the power supply line. Does this sound right to anybody?? Or is it more complicated than that?? Also I have seen the article here about building yer own for like 3 bucks from Radio Shack parts, but the problem is I am starting wiring in the morning with my Dad and it shouldnt take that long to re-wire the car....So quick advice would be great!! And i do want to say thanks for all the help so far!!
The Jalopy Journal
