The Ford Barn

tom/illinois · 09-15-2012, 08:56 AM

switching to 12 volt. Do I need to put the runz voltage drops on each gauge ? Does anyone have the NAPA part #? Want to try and keep my original gauges.

TJ · 09-15-2012, 10:33 AM

You can use the one that Napa sells which is for the early Mustangs. The part # is IR-1. The price has gone up on these units in the last couple of years and they are close to $40. There is also one sold on E-Bay for $25, but I don't have any experience with that one. I've used the Runtz units, but they have failed me more than once.

deuce lover · 09-15-2012, 10:59 AM

I had my gauges modified by Lee Kelly in Idaho.He has done several cars (gauges) and never had a problem.Runtz never worked for me either so wasted my money.He is reasonable also.

4t8v8 · 09-15-2012, 11:21 AM

This is in the "for what it's worth" department. 20 years ago I went to Radio Shack and bought the parts to build my own variable voltage control. It is a regulated supply and will handle 0 - 10 volts and not vary from where it is set. Has worked flawlessly for 20 years. It will handle 3 amps. Far more than the gauges require. I have no training of any kind in electronics. Was surprised how easy it was. Invested about $10.

dick lyons · 09-15-2012, 11:29 AM

google " ron francis wire works " he has good voltage drop device. dick/del.

Old Henry · 09-15-2012, 11:46 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Here's Mac's that will run all three gauges for $34.95 I've heard good things about: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-fo...0RW35U1000017/

Saves putting the Runz reducer on each gauge.

(No personal experience. I'm still 6 volt system.)

Fibber Mcgee · 09-15-2012, 12:55 PM

You need a Runtz for each gauge. I've had mine on for about two years and no problems yet.

flathead4rd · 09-15-2012, 07:22 PM

You don't need a reducer for each gauge. One will handle all three (fuel, oil & temp). Check the shoeboxford.com message board. In the search function you will find everything you need to know to change over to 12 volts.

Karl Wolf · 09-15-2012, 09:11 PM

Check out Rod&Custom magazine, May 2011...

78-series transisters can be used to drop voltage accurately, AND they're real cheap.
#7806 can be used to go from 12v to 6v... I bought maybe 10 for about $10 or so... Haven't gotten to the wiring phase yet myself...
Karl

tom/illinois · 09-15-2012, 10:10 PM

What about radio and heater fan?

gmc1941 · 09-16-2012, 06:20 AM

The small voltage reducers only can handle 1.5 amps. The radio if new is about 3 amps and the heater can be as high as 5 amps. Mac has larger reducers.

09-15-2012, 08:56 AM	#1
tom/illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southern illinois Posts: 155	12 volt switching to 12 volt. Do I need to put the runz voltage drops on each gauge ? Does anyone have the NAPA part #? Want to try and keep my original gauges.

09-15-2012, 10:33 AM	#2
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: 12 volt You can use the one that Napa sells which is for the early Mustangs. The part # is IR-1. The price has gone up on these units in the last couple of years and they are close to $40. There is also one sold on E-Bay for $25, but I don't have any experience with that one. I've used the Runtz units, but they have failed me more than once.

09-15-2012, 10:59 AM	#3
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,306	Re: 12 volt I had my gauges modified by Lee Kelly in Idaho.He has done several cars (gauges) and never had a problem.Runtz never worked for me either so wasted my money.He is reasonable also.

09-15-2012, 11:21 AM	#4
4t8v8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 524	Re: 12 volt This is in the "for what it's worth" department. 20 years ago I went to Radio Shack and bought the parts to build my own variable voltage control. It is a regulated supply and will handle 0 - 10 volts and not vary from where it is set. Has worked flawlessly for 20 years. It will handle 3 amps. Far more than the gauges require. I have no training of any kind in electronics. Was surprised how easy it was. Invested about $10.

09-15-2012, 11:29 AM	#5
dick lyons Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: middletown, delaware Posts: 109	Re: 12 volt google " ron francis wire works " he has good voltage drop device. dick/del. __________________ MNSHNR

09-15-2012, 11:46 AM	#6
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: 12 volt Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Here's Mac's that will run all three gauges for $34.95 I've heard good things about: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-fo...0RW35U1000017/ Saves putting the Runz reducer on each gauge. (No personal experience. I'm still 6 volt system.) __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

09-15-2012, 12:55 PM	#7
Fibber Mcgee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Callahan Fla Posts: 1,149	Re: 12 volt You need a Runtz for each gauge. I've had mine on for about two years and no problems yet. __________________ Wanted, a car with a " Dynaflex Superflowing Unijet Turbovasculator which is Syncromeshed to the Multicoil Hydrotensioned Dual vacuum Dynomometer. "

09-15-2012, 07:22 PM	#8
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 505	Re: 12 volt You don't need a reducer for each gauge. One will handle all three (fuel, oil & temp). Check the shoeboxford.com message board. In the search function you will find everything you need to know to change over to 12 volts.

09-15-2012, 09:11 PM	#9
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: 12 volt Check out Rod&Custom magazine, May 2011... 78-series transisters can be used to drop voltage accurately, AND they're real cheap. #7806 can be used to go from 12v to 6v... I bought maybe 10 for about $10 or so... Haven't gotten to the wiring phase yet myself... Karl

09-15-2012, 10:10 PM	#10
tom/illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southern illinois Posts: 155	Re: 12 volt What about radio and heater fan?

09-16-2012, 06:20 AM	#11
gmc1941 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Palatine, Il Posts: 486	Re: 12 volt The small voltage reducers only can handle 1.5 amps. The radio if new is about 3 amps and the heater can be as high as 5 amps. Mac has larger reducers. __________________ 1939 Fordor Deluxe 1939 Ford Coupe Std 1940 Ford pickup Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.