The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 6 Volt instruments Cluster

Is it possible to rework my original gauges from 6 volt to 12 volt. What would I have to replace?I'm pretty handy with a soidering iron so hopefully someone out there might have the answers.

Thanks Fred

Judging from your handle I'm guessing this is for a 55 1st series?

The ammeter isn't voltage sensitive, it works on 6 or 12 volts. The temp and oil pressure guages are mechanical and therefore don't care what voltage you're using. That leaves the fuel guage. I know of some on here who have done absolutely nothing to their 6 volt fuel guages and they have worked fine on 12 volts for many years now.. Another option is to get a voltage dropping resistor designed just for this purpose from most any of the vendors that are out there. The only other thing is to change out all the cluster bulbs to 12 volts.

Fred, probably the "safe" thing to do is put a resistor on the line to the fuel gauge but I'm one of those Waldo is referring to. I converted my old 55.1 panel to 12v and never gave a thought to needing to drop the voltage to the gauges or heater motor. All I did under the dash was change to 12v bulbs. I put over 100K on the truck after the conversion with nary a problem.

Thanks Waldo and Tiny for your input. That make me feel alot better about things. All be droping in the motor and trans this weekend, I have a bunch to learn and about this old beast but i'm having fun with it.Take care all post pictures soon.
Fred