Good morning one and all..( or afternoon depending where you be)...what would be the best solution for 12-6volt "reducer" for my 1960 Chevy wagons gauges, gas, oil, etc etc? I'm reading Runtz are the best, others say diff...just wondering if anyones had experience in this... thanks all... DM
I came on to mention the Runtz voltage reducer. Those were often used. One for each gauge, I believe. My 1939 Ford guages have some sort of rheostats that glow red and reduce voltage. Look dangerous under a dash but have been on my 39 Ford since the 60's. Altho not used for many years. But GM has had a 12 volt system since 1955 so why would you need those for a 1960 Chevy? And it's afternoon where I am now altho at times appears late night due to storms.
Thanks for the replay CatModelT!! ...I'm asking because I know squat on the electric portion of the wagon and I've been having issues with my gas meter not registering correctly even after replacing the float/sending unit in the tank, plus my oil light blinking on and off randomly. I've consulted some folks (probably my issue not going with an expert on this stuff) and they advised it might be that I need the 12-6 reducer. Hence also my question here...need advice... I'll continue to read up on it and see what I can come up with... thanks again!
Hopefully you can find a car guy friend to take a look at it. Sometimes the actual guage will go bad and the tank sending unit. Check for loose or corroded wires at the rear of the gauge. As for the oil light make sure you are getting a good oil pressure and have enough oil in the crank case. Those sending units also go bad. It's easy to change the unit if there is one on the rear of the engine. They are usually a brass plug looking a bit like a spark plug with a small wire attached. Sometimes going to a few local cruise nites and talking to others helps find answers and maybe help. Car guys are friendly and helpful.
The majority of factory gauges do run on lower-than-12V voltages; The back of the instrument cluster will have a 12-6 or 12-5 (as in Fords) voltage reducer, but it's only for the temp, amp and oil pressure gauges, IIRC. I'd have to look at the wiring diagram to confirm it, but I think the fuel gauge is supposed to be 12 volts. But as far as your Chevy cluster, I couldn't confirm if your fuel gauge is 12 volts.
If you like to tinker, you can make your own with some parts from Radio Shack. On my old IH, I used the L7806 regulator and added a capacitor and heat sink for a few bucks and some time. http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/6-12V/6-12-6.html
thanks folks great info...!!! there's a classic car/other get together tomorrow in the Monterey Bay area ...I'll def swing by and pick their brains... Thanks again! DM
DItto on the LM regulator, but do remember that normal system voltage for a 6V car is 7 volts and change, it will be real close You could get the 8V regulator and drop a little more with a resistor and be right on the money, constant voltage. Mark
