Can anyone tell me where to get the voltage reducers for keeping the instrument cluster 6v with a 12 volt system? I saw a couple reducers in mid fifty catalog but it does not state if its for the instrument panel or not. I thought I saw a post about a Napa part number a while back but I can't find the post. Or if anyone has one they want to sell I am interested. Thanks.
Dave

 

I bought one from HotRod & Custom Supply, FL that was marketed specifically for dash gauges - it is low amperage compared to the reducer for the heater/radio/accessories. A call to your local NAPA or other parts house should get you the info you need.

 

Thanks alot MTFlat I sure appreciate it!
Dave

 

What you really want to use for guages is a voltage REGULATOR instead of just a reducer. A lot of times, the reducer is nothing more that a resistor. The voltage out of this will very depending on the load. A regulator on the other hand, will give you an even 6 volts all the time. It is an electronic circuit rather than just a resistor. Important to know the difference!

 

BlueOvalRage, do you know where to get these regulators? Thanks.
Dave

 

dj,
Just looking thru the Hot Rod & Custom Supply catalog and saw that their's IS a regulator. Their pn is #VRC603 $18.95 a couple years ago. They have a website that a search should turn up. Ph # (941) 574-7744

Only needs one per vehicle.
Tim

 

I got my 50 cluster restored by D&M Restorations in Greenville. They did a super job. They gave me a NAPA part number for a regulator. I think it was VR9, but I don't remember for sure. I took that number to Carquest, they crossed it and said it was a common regulator for Ford dashes. There is also a nice schematic to build your own regulator at www.bonusbuilt.com/gaugewiring.html

 

I've always built my regulators in the past, but then again, I'm an electrician. I looked at the schematic mentioned in the above post and it is very similar to what I've built. No matter whether you build or buy your regulator, make sure that it will handle the current draw of all your six volt accessories at the same time. If you're just going to run your guages, there shouldn't be a problem, but if you also try to run any motors like heater or wipers, you will let all the smoke out of a small regulator. I'm driving my guages, O/D solenoid, and wipers with mine, but I built it extra heavy duty with the regulators (four of them in parallel) mounted on a heat sink and cooled with a little computer-type fan. Take the schematic along with you to radio shack or wherever you buy the parts and they can help you figure out what parts you'll need to upgrade to handle the extra current.