fuel gauge voltage regulator

[Curtis]

Jon, any knowledge on the VW unit? looks close, from reading, seems to run in the same range. Datsun was notorious for copying good engineering, and the VW fuel sender runs in the same ohm range.

It is a 6 volt output based on a search for it. I had thought about trying this before. The Ford one is also 6 volts I think. Then there is the Mopar one as well.

[dbrick]

Link to the functional info. Bonus...A Super Beetle uses a sender alot like a late Roadster, Ohms look right too.
http://www.netlink.net/mp/volks/htm/fuel_ga.htm



I edited original post, made much more sense with the link in there

I found this a few years ago, appears to be the same part, but no specs. Good chance it would work.

If one of you guys wants to make a few of those regulators, they would probably be bought by people here.

http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw- ... -113957099

[caraddict]

That is an excellent write up Dave and it does a great job of explaining how the Roadster gauges work. I especially like the way they call it a "vibrator" as it makes the function a little easier to grasp. I'd love to get one of these in my hands so we can do a side by side comparison but from what I see here it looks to be the perfect replacement.

Has anybody priced these out?

Jon

[Curtis]

That is an excellent write up Dave and it does a great job of explaining how the Roadster gauges work. I especially like the way they call it a "vibrator" as it makes the function a little easier to grasp. I'd love to get one of these in my hands so we can do a side by side comparison but from what I see here it looks to be the perfect replacement.

Has anybody priced these out?

Jon

You can find them all over the web for sale. Question is will the gauge adjust enough to use this one?

At some point soon even though I don't need it I will buy one of the Nissan ones. I have a spare fuel sender I can hook up and test it with.

[prosantos]

I have seen a lot of new electronic voltage regulators that will step down to 6v, is there a need for the pulsating or vibrating for the gauge to read properly????

[spyder]

I have seen a lot of new electronic voltage regulators that will step down to 6v, is there a need for the pulsating or vibrating for the gauge to read properly????

No need for a pulsating one for proper operation. I went with a home made 8 volt electronic regulator. The only difference I noticed is the gauges are initially slower to come up to actual value. Rock solid in fifteen seconds.

[prosantos]

Having the following problem, fuel gauge reads full, when voltage regulator is grounded it goes down to empty.
What is causing this

[notoptoy]

^Sounds like you have it wired in reverse.

[roadsterred]

I installed a instrument voltage regulator from a 1966 Ford Mustang in my roadster and my fuel gauge seems to be working properly. However, my car, a '69, is currently in storage so I don't keep a full tank of gas. I do run the engine about once a month.

[Curtis]

have you or any one try this??

Just found it so no I haven't tried it yet.

Since I am ordering some other parts I have ordered one of the Nissan ones. Will post after I get it and test it.

[Roman]

The originals are easy to fix. a bit of solder on the riveted connections.

[mraitch]

@roadsterred
" I do run the engine about once a month."
Don't forget to pump the brakes, and perhaps also engage the clutch. Calipers, especially, can seize if not operated over a period of time.

[Mike.reid]

Roman,

I am dealing with the struggles of a voltage regulator that sucks the big one. When you say solder on the riveted connections, are you referring to the outer portion where the wires are also connecting? the riveted section creates an L-shape? where the "vertical" part of the "L" attaches the wire, and the "horizontal" has the rivet?

thanks

[Roman]

Roman,

I am dealing with the struggles of a voltage regulator that sucks the big one. When you say solder on the riveted connections, are you referring to the outer portion where the wires are also connecting? the riveted section creates an L-shape? where the "vertical" part of the "L" attaches the wire, and the "horizontal" has the rivet?

thanks

Been a long time since I did it. Don't remember if there is one or two rivets. But the rivet area often "moves". It can be wiggled. Over the years corrosion can build up on the electrical connection and it loses conductivity and gains resistance.
With a really small brass wire brush I cleaned in there along with some contact cleaner. Then wicked some solder in and went as far as to solder a jumper lead as well.

Solved the problem and the VR never gave me a lick of problem after that.

[Roman]

Ok, due to some gentle prodding from a forum member in need, I took out my Instrument VR to show how it was repaired. It's old, it's dirty but it works. I figured this might be useful to some who's unit is intermittent or not working.



The section going to the terminal marked IGN is hardwired ( I ran a jumper wire) to the top right rivet. The bottom right rivet is just soldered. I only had to take the unit apart to see what went to where. but to do the repair you actually don't even need to open up the canister.

It's a simple but effective repair if you cannot find a new unit.