Active Unanswered
6v gauges convert to 12v
Moderators: Don Ayers, Al Benton, Don Vogt
6v gauges convert to 12v
Hello,
My KLC is currently being upgraded from 6v to 12v. I understand the gauges need to be adjusted as well but I would like to do the work myself to save on cost and also learn about the boat's electrical system. What needs to be done to the gauges to make them work with 12v and is it possible to do it myself? I am an engineer so I should be able to do the work if it's not too complicated. Any advice or previous experiences to note?
Thanks in advance.
Nick
My KLC is currently being upgraded from 6v to 12v. I understand the gauges need to be adjusted as well but I would like to do the work myself to save on cost and also learn about the boat's electrical system. What needs to be done to the gauges to make them work with 12v and is it possible to do it myself? I am an engineer so I should be able to do the work if it's not too complicated. Any advice or previous experiences to note?
Thanks in advance.
Nick
Guages
If your KCL is typical your guages are mechanical, not electric. Your oil pressure guage has a tube to the engine block that picks up the oil pressure in the block and moves the guage. Your temp guage uses a sensor bulb in the block that moves the guage. Your ammeter is electrical but it measures current and has no voltage sensetive parts. If you have a fuel tank level guage, it is electrical and needs attention. The tach is mechanical and needs no attention.
Outside of that the lamps that illuminate the guages need to be changed.
Outside of that the lamps that illuminate the guages need to be changed.
Jim Evans
Thanks for the input. I only have three gauges and I know one is the tach and that is mechanical from the motor. The other two gauges have connections labeled 6V on the back of the casing. There is no fuel level indicator (consistent with what I know about my 1956 17' runabout). So back to my original question - is it hard to convert the internals to 12v by myself or would I be better off sending it out? Does anyone know how to do that?
My engine was in TERRIBLE shape when I got it (spent 30 years in a back yard under a tarp) so it is getting a complete rebuild, including new sleeves in 3 cylinders. I am fortunate to have Ted Cartner rebuilding my engine (he is a well-known and highly recommended engine rebuilder in IL) so I know it is getting a top-notch job done. Seemed to me that 12v was a no-brainer with all the advantages and little disadvantages it had.
My engine was in TERRIBLE shape when I got it (spent 30 years in a back yard under a tarp) so it is getting a complete rebuild, including new sleeves in 3 cylinders. I am fortunate to have Ted Cartner rebuilding my engine (he is a well-known and highly recommended engine rebuilder in IL) so I know it is getting a top-notch job done. Seemed to me that 12v was a no-brainer with all the advantages and little disadvantages it had.
The temp gauge sends voltage to the temp sender at the engine, so if you have one I would think something has to be updated, either the gauge or the temp sender or both.
Oil preasure and tach are probably OK other than the light.
You may have to wait until after the big show this week, but I would give Dale Kocian a call. If 100% originality under the hatch is not important to you, he can also convert your tach to electrical which will make it more stable and eliminate the need to replace the old mechanical tach cable.
Oil preasure and tach are probably OK other than the light.
You may have to wait until after the big show this week, but I would give Dale Kocian a call. If 100% originality under the hatch is not important to you, he can also convert your tach to electrical which will make it more stable and eliminate the need to replace the old mechanical tach cable.
Electric Instruments
Electric instrumnents would be very unusual in as '56 boat. You might have an owner upgrade but not likely stock. Check it out.
Jim Evans
- Pete DeVito
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:48 pm
- Location: Florida
Nick
Maybe I can help you here.
You can use the 6volt instruments on 12volt if you use a resistor. In fact Chris Craft used resistors when they changed from 6volt to 12volt somewhere around 1957 to 1958. Chris Craft never threw anything away they found a way to use it up.
If you will have your instruments restored they will fix them for 12volt. The light for your instrument is a bulb changeout from 6volt to 12volt. I am only addressing the instruments here. There are other things to consider like the horn, coil, starter, generator, etc..
Enclosed photos show my 6 volt instruments on my Capri that is an original 12volt system. I also enclosed a parts sheet for replacement parts from Chris Craft during this same time period. As you can see they sold the resistors.
Get a load of the prices... Wow I want 2 of each.
Pete
Maybe I can help you here.
You can use the 6volt instruments on 12volt if you use a resistor. In fact Chris Craft used resistors when they changed from 6volt to 12volt somewhere around 1957 to 1958. Chris Craft never threw anything away they found a way to use it up.
If you will have your instruments restored they will fix them for 12volt. The light for your instrument is a bulb changeout from 6volt to 12volt. I am only addressing the instruments here. There are other things to consider like the horn, coil, starter, generator, etc..
Enclosed photos show my 6 volt instruments on my Capri that is an original 12volt system. I also enclosed a parts sheet for replacement parts from Chris Craft during this same time period. As you can see they sold the resistors.
Get a load of the prices... Wow I want 2 of each.
Pete
Past Project 1948 17' Deluxe
Past Project 1957 19' Capri
Future Project 1955 17' Special Sportsman
Past Project 1957 19' Capri
Future Project 1955 17' Special Sportsman
Changing Over
Check with Dale Kocian. He rebuilds these intruments and can convert them to 12 volt.
Jim Evans
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests