6v to 12v conversion - gauge voltage regulator

[Paul Bennett]

I feel it is best to use genuine Ford products when possible for my Mercury.
The KS 6v gauges were used into the 1970s and mid-60 Mustangs are most readily available.

This regulator cost me $20 including free shipping on Ebay. Upon installing it worked great. When using 6v the output drops to 3.5v and the gauges read a bit lower and are slower to react to changes. Why, well I will install it while my car is still using the 6v Optima.

I intend to solder wires to the regulator and find a suitable point to attact it where the mounting screw can get a good ground. What's inside? A diode in series with the input to a electrolytic capacitor input to a 7805 regulator directly to the ouput terminal.

[51 MERC-CT]

Been using one for many years.
Should not have to solder any wires to it, the right one to use has the push on spade fittings.

[flatheadmurre]

If you want the 7805 to become a 7v regulator instead of a 5v regulator so the gauges works as in stock aplication you can install a diode in the ground leg of the regulator.
This fools the regulator to go higher...
I use switched regulators now...they have become dirtcheap, takes more current and produce less heat.

[big job]

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"I'm just saying" back late 50's or early 60's my father used a 12vt 1950's generator and
regulator into a 1950 F6. V8. Back then no one knew anything about this gauge regulator.
Till this very day no gauge has blown up yet without this regulator and still has origional
6vt starter. Thats like 58 yrs ago. Also the 54 F800 my avitar has a 100amp alternator
no gauge regulator either.

Pic of F800 gauges working no gauge regulator......guess pics don't work any more