Howdy-I was wondering if anyone had some good sources, suggestions, etc. for using my original guages(from a 53 merc). The car is rewired 12 volt. I've been told that a voltage reducer is in order, past that, I'm a bit uninformed. I'm gonna hit the internet and the bookstores today, and see what else I can find....Thanks in advance for any help! Bryan
I am not exactly sure what info you need, but I can say that if you use a voltage drop at the gauges (since the system is now 12volt gauges should read correctly.) The gauges are not polarized from what I have read. HOWEVER, These gauges can be very tempermental and jamming 12volt, WITH OR WITHOUT A RESISTOR, can make them act batty-Batty-BATTY! More or less like they are not working or reading the opposite. I would put a meter to the gauge prior to going too far and see if they are worthwhile. A fuel gauge will need to be read with the senderer-er-er-r out of the tank, power to it, and some yahoo looking at the gauge while another yahoo )possibly you? ) moves the float up and down...if the gauge level changes you are good with that. IMO, disregard the amp gauge and get a voltmeter if you have an alternator on your vehicle. Temp gauges work much like a gas gauge and you can use the same "put power to it" theory only submerse the sending unit in some really hot water. If the needle on the gauge moves you gots it. If you are running a flathead, this is a tiresome, tedious, and generally GAY precedure as they have two senders and if one sending unit works, the other may not. If the sending units are wired in succession and the gauge does not read correctly after testing the senders, you are*****ed. Good luck finding that one, imo. I have found that sometimes the gauge needs to be grounded to work correctly. Even though they are not polarized it may still need a ground somewhere in the circuit. Get a mechanical oil pressure gauge. hope this helps? ooo-o-ooo-w...I think I hurt myself.
The conventional wisdom on running early guages on a 12 volt system is to use what Ford used starting in 1956 to 19??? (the guages for these years were 6 volt). I'm converting my 54 to 12 volt and I'm using a voltage drop made for ford guages. Its Standard # VRC603 and should be used only for guages. I understand that the Borg Warner # is the same. Kinda pricey though, around 35 bucks.
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