Converting 24volt gauges to 12volt

[Sharecropper]

I searched and searched this forum but could not find a related post.

Instead of trying to replace the idiot lights in my M1028, I have decided to leave the perfect-working stock system the way it is and simply add a supplementary temp and oil pressure gauge to the radio plate. I don't particularly care for the looks of the off-the-shelf gauges, but instead would like to use new HMMWV instruments to maintain the military look. These new HMMWV gauges are readily available, however it is my understanding that they are 24 volt. My question - is it possible to either 1.) - send the new gauges to a gauge shop and have them converted to 12 volt, or; 2.) - use 24 volt sending units from a HMMWV to power the readings?

Question #2 - assuming this can be accomplished, where is the best place to purchase the gauges? I would prefer to purchase them from one of the SS vendors instead of Pbay.

As always, your help will be appreciated.

Mike Gresham
Paris, Kentucky

 

[cranetruck]

Question was answered here:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/73117-converting-24v-gauges-12v.html

I don't blame you for starting a new thread, had to go through my own posts to find it..there appear to be more than one problem with the site today.

 

[Wolf.Dose]

Why do you want to change a 24V vehicle to 12 V? I can not follow that idea.
Wolf

 

[Sharecropper]

Wolf, I am not wanting to change a 24v vehicle to 12v. I simply want to install oil pressure and temperature gauges in my M1028 to supplement the idiot lights, and would like to use new HMMWV gauges to keep the military "look". It is my understanding the new HMMWV gauges are 24v. I would like to know how I can use these in my 12v M1028.

 

[Wolf.Dose]

I have a problem here. A M1028 (shelter carrier brake code H, max gross weight 10000 lbs (4535 kg)) to my knowledge is a CUCV vehicle with a 24 volt system. According to TM 9-2320-289-20 the electrical system is the same as the M1009. Only the M1010 is different. So with some knowledge of the system, you have a 12 V system and a 24 V system on hand, just care were you take of the voltage. On the connector on the dash, were the fuseable links from Gen 1 go to, you have 12 V and can supply anything from their. If you go to the terminals with the battery link on the far right, there is 24 V.
Hope this helps.
Wolf

 

[m16ty]

Bjorn, Your link doesn't work.

 

[cranetruck]

Bjorn, Your link doesn't work.

Hmm...well this is what I posted:
Pretty sure that the old SW gauges will work. They use two coils to compensate for variations in the supply voltage, the new plastic (Faria) gauges use a Zener diode to regulate the voltage and need at least 15 volts to work. The sending units in this case are "variable resistors" and don't care.

 

[Sharecropper]

So let me make sure I understand -

I can indeed use new 24v HMMWV gauges, as long as I power them from a 24v source? Am I correct in assuming that the sending units for oil pressure and temperature gauges would be standard civi 6.2?

 

[cranetruck]

So let me make sure I understand -

I can indeed use new 24v HMMWV gauges, as long as I power them from a 24v source? ...

Yes.

Don't know what's "standard civi" sending units on the 6.2...

 

[Sharecropper]

After thinking through how this could work, the 24v gauges would need to be powered up with the ignition. So I guess I would need to ignition-power a 24v volt relay to power the gauges. Easy enough. Now I just need to figure out how to supply the temp and oil pressure data from the engine.

 

[m16ty]

. Now I just need to figure out how to supply the temp and oil pressure data from the engine.

You could just buy the senders that go with the gauge and install them on your engine.

 

[ryan77]

Use the 24 volt feed for the amp gauge its off the relay and only on when ignition is on!!!!!

 

[m16ty]

Are the HMMWV gauges you're talking about standard M-series gauges? If so I've got a new oil pressure gauge in the classifieds. I can also get a temp gauge and senders for both.

 

[Sharecropper]

Well, I am not sure my idea of using HMMWV gauges is a good idea. It just occured to me, are those Faria gauges lighted? If not, I will probably abandon the idea and use off-the-shelf gauges. Does anybody know if the HMMWV gauges are lighted?

 

[m16ty]

If they are standard M-series gauges they aren't lighted. They require a separate light to illuminate the gauge through the side windows.

It shouldn't be too hard to make them into lighted gauges though.

 

[Sharecropper]

Thanks everybody for your comments in this thread. After thoroughly exploring the idea of using HMMWV gauges in my CUCV, I am abandoning the effort because of the difficulties of wiring and the absence of gauge lighting.

Instead, I plan to utilize an oil pressure and temperature gauge from Moal - here's a link -

- Moal Coachbuilders -