Instrument panel operating voltage.

Charging, starting, lighting, gauges, HVAC

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XplosiveLugnut
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Instrument panel operating voltage.

Post by XplosiveLugnut »

I want to install a modern voltage regulator for the instrument cluster. I can't seem to find what voltage the instruments run at. Some places say 6 V, others 5 or 10 V. None of the part descriptions I've found for the regulator say what it's output's supposed to be either. Much googling has left me confused. :?

Thanks!
-Evan
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'71 F100 Custom
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Montana71-F100
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Re: Instrument panel operating voltage.

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XplosiveLugnut
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5v confirmed.

Post by XplosiveLugnut »

I'd like to confirm that the stock dash instruments our bumps read correctly when operating at a constant 5 volts.
I got hold of a fully assembled instrument panel. One that's full gauges, no dummy lights. After a bit of dis-assembly I set up a test.

To test, I had a 10 ohm resister in line with the fuel gauge. The sender's resistance is supposed to be 10 ohms when the tank is full. I put 5v across the gauge in series with the 10 ohm resister using an old computer power supply and the gauge steadily climbed to and stopped at the "F" mark. So it's not just Mopars at least.

I'll soon be swamping in the fully gauge'd panel in along with a solid state voltage regulator. I'll report whether or not it functions correctly and reliably.

-Evan
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'71 F100 Custom
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