Hi Guys,this is my first post and I would be grateful if somebody could tell me the way to go regards wiring a 40 instrument cluster to 12volts.The dash/gauges(40 Ford)are in my 32 roadster, and the rest of the components are all 12 volts......hope you can help, all the best "Reefer", England.

A 6 volt resister for each of the 6 volt powered guages. That should do the trick. As for the lighting, just go to 12 volt bulbs. This would be one way.

Ed has a good idea, but the amount of resistance for each instrument will depend on what the working current of the instrument is. I am assuming amps (only the lamps have to be converted, not the gauge), gas (this one will be tricky), lighting for all, and what else?...radio maybe?
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Steve Jack
SOUTHEASTERN GOODGUYS REP

I converted my 51 chev to 12V and the amp is fine the fuel gauge I purchased a in line diode from a local rod builder for $10 and changed all the bulbs. I got some good information from "Patricks" He builds old chev trucks and cars. I will check and see if I can still find the address.

dr.pepper

Check out "Patrick's Antique Cars" they have a great little catalog with the formula for converting to 12V on the back cover. Really nice people. they are on the web

dr.Pepper

Reefer, Instead of all the monkeying around with resistors, The best way to go is to use a simple voltage reducer that dropped 12vdc down to 6 vdc and was regulated to (in my case), 15 amps which was a bit of over kill. Seems like there was a post on here some months ago about this very subject and maybe a bit of research in the archives would help. My supply was simply a voltage regulator circuit that you would find in a power supply. The 12 vdc supplies of various current ratings that you find like at RadShack. In the case of the 12 vdc supply, the higher voltage is derived from a higher voltage from a transformer of usually about 18 to 20 volts. This type of circuit would provide a constant voltage regardless of current draw if its in the rating of the supply.
For your use, you would be using the regulator portion with out the AC part. This usually consists of some pass transistors and a 6 vdc reference.12 vdc to the input and 6vdc out. I could probably find everything I would need at the local RadShack. Fred P
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Fred P.

Thanks for taking the trouble to get back to me guys.I have taken note and I think I know how to go about it now...with a little help from my autospark buddy......all the best Reefer.