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Fuel tank sending unit
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:31 am
by armydriver
Will a 6 volt sending unit work on a 12 volt system( converted) or will a voltage reducer need to be in place?
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:11 am
by dr deuce
The 6v sender will work finr IF you buy a voltage REGULATOR from JC Taylor (~$18). You install this regulator in the line from the power feed to the gas gauge. It also has a ground wire you need to attach. The unit is like a copper bar with a stud on one end and a hole on the other and the ground wire. This regulator reduces the 12v to exactly 6v so the gauge and sender see no difference from stock. DO NOT use a reducing resistor.
Find a buddy, or buy a couple. The shipping $$ is terrible...
Sending unit
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:15 pm
by John V Cliche
Hi Jim,and Doc
I have always thought that the sending unit was only a reostat type of switch and therefor would operate with 6v 12v or 24v, but I've been wrong before.
I do agree that the fuel gage is voltage sensitive however.
John
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:20 pm
by armydriver
Thanks for the information guys.
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:45 pm
by dr deuce
The way the gauge works (I believe) is that the 1st coil is between the + input and ground. The other coil goes from + to the sender. The 1st coil is to allow for voltage variations. The voltage goes up, it becomes a stronger magnet opposing the sender magnet with would also be stronger.
If you run it on 12v directly, the 1st coil is saturated magnetic wise in that it is alreading being the strongest magnet it can be and probably has been from 8v and higher so the counterbalancing effect to allow for variations in + voltage do not work.