The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Voltage Reducer (Current reducer?)

Puting my truck back together (1950 GMC 100, Neg ground / 12v)and decided to tie my fuel sender and battery to the orginal fuel gauge last night. Since I converted to 12v I figuired I need a "voltage reducer" and had picked one up earlier from Classic Parts, part # 24-995. I thought I would verify the reducer by applying +12v to one lead, putting the + side of my meter to the other lead and finally taking the - probe of my meter to ground. Result = 12.5v...huh? Since there were no instructions I called the tech line at Classic today and they said that the so called voltage reducer is actually a current limiter and has no affect on voltage (funny, that sounds more like a fuse to me). Anyway, he said the term voltage reducer is just a name that stuck and that it is really the current that needs to be controlled in order to make the gauge work correctly and not burn up. He went on to say that this wires between the ignition side of the switch to the "empty" side of the gauge and the "full" side of the gauge ties to the sender. Looking to get a "nod of approval" from you guys before I walk down the path of no return.

Thanks!

Alex

i switched my 41 from 6 to 12 and did not use any voltage resistane for the guages, they work just fine. I did install a voltage resistor to my coil. and if I ever install a heater I will need one for the blower motor.

Well the explanation is a little bit silly. I would think it is a resistor of about 30 ohms in value. Try measuring the resistance from end to end to see if this is the case. You can't check it out without putting it under load. Hook it up as stated only ground the gauge by attaching the bezel to negative. Now measure the voltage at the gauge. You don't need the sender to try this.

Follow up...wired up the gauge with the reducer and it seems to be working correctly. Thanks for the responses.

alex