Original Gauges

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Apr 7, 2007 | 07:09 AM

#16

stewards68

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Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 299

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From: Topeka, KS

The short answer is: 'Cause I didn't know any better? What do these CVR's look like, and do they make the 6V guages work with 12V? And if so, why do all the catalogs list 12V guages for the '55's, '56's, etc.?

Last edited by stewards68; Apr 7, 2007 at 07:19 AM. Reason: clarification

Apr 7, 2007 | 09:49 AM

#17

mtflat

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 6,777

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From: Kalispell, MT

I sorted this stuff out 'cause I'm cheap

The CVR is a small metal box (maybe 1"x1.5")with two connectors for the wire 12V in and 6V out. Early varieties have a threaded post later used tabs for push-on connectors. Up under the dash near the gauge cluster.

Ford used 6V gauges until mid to late 70's. The gauges in these old trucks are all powered from one hot wire so just use this upstream of the first gauge.

Why all the 12V gauges in the catalogs? Advertising. Money. $20 vs. $250-350.

Last edited by mtflat; Apr 7, 2007 at 09:53 AM.

Apr 7, 2007 | 10:07 AM

#18

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

Likes: 787

From: Simi Valley, CA

Common FoMoCo CVR's

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtflat

I've never understood why anyone would spend the money or go to the bother to install 3 runtz voltage drops when you can install 1 CVR (constant voltage regulator) that is a stock piece. Available in every Ford car or truck in every junkyard OR available for early 70's Fords from your local parts jockey at NAPA, etc

B7A-10804-B .. CVR 1957~1960

B9MZ-10804-C .. CVR 1959~1970's

C6DZ-10804-A .. CVR 1966-1970's

D1AZ-10804-A .. CVR 1971-1986

Some of these have two connectors, some have three.

Last edited by NumberDummy; Apr 7, 2007 at 10:27 AM.

Apr 7, 2007 | 10:13 AM

#19

jimhackney

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 378

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From: Hudson, OH

Progress

Now we're getting somewhere. I found this interesting article on our site; https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...on_Guide_.html

Apr 7, 2007 | 10:18 AM

#20

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,297

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From: NM

I'm with you MT, I use the NAPA CVR for all of my gauges and haven't had any problem whatsoever. Cost me $21 (I wanted a brand new one), but like you say, they are laying around every decent boneyard......

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Apr 7, 2007 | 07:22 PM

#21

Max E

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Joined: Dec 2006

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From: Monterey, Indiana

Please explain a little more on how this works
Thanks
Max E

Apr 7, 2007 | 09:22 PM

#22

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,297

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From: NM

It is just exactly like a turn signal flasher inside, a bimetal spring strip that opens/closes a set of contacts. So it takes a higher voltage and sends it out in pulses, resulting in a ragged "average" lower voltage. It cycles much much faster than a flasher, tho.

In this case it is open (0 voltage) about 50% of the time, and closed (12v) about half the time, which results in the gauges seeing a 6v net voltage. The gauges react slowly to change, so they don't swing noticeably as the CVR cycles.

Apr 8, 2007 | 06:44 PM

#23

doug51f1

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 532

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From: Athens, GA, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtflat

I tried one first, but it's just a bimetal switching power supply and with the bimetal switching going on in the flat head sending units as well, my guages were extremely inaccurate. Some folks have had good luck with them, I didn't. I installed the Runtz, which provide constant voltage and my guages work much better. Maybe it's just my situation.