24V guages

[snezza69]

I'm after some second hand defender guages for a 24 V veh.

Anyone help?

[Litch]

Probably quite rare.

Unlike MOD S111's when FFR's had a 24V vehicle & radio systems, on 90 & 110 FFR's the vehicle electrics remain 12V and the 24V system is entirely separate.

[snezza69]

Yes I understand you are correct, however the Wolf which replaced the 90/110 was 24V throughout.  Anyone knows anyone who breaks these would be appreciated!

Thanks

[Range Rover Blues]

It may be cheaper to get your gauges repaired or modify a 12volts guage to suit.

[snezza69]

It may be cheaper to get your gauges repaired or modify a 12volts guage to suit.

How easy is it to get guages modified?  And from where?

[hobbit]

I picked one up on e-blag, not cheap but worth it, Trouble is I put the flaming thing away and cant find it now :x

one method to monitor it why not use a cheap digital multimeter and switch it on when required

[Range Rover Blues]

It may be cheaper to get your gauges repaired or modify a 12volts guage to suit.

How easy is it to get guages modified?  And from where?

Depending on what the guage is it involves either rewing it or fitting a series resistor.  2 guages in series would be the other way of doing it.

[snezza69]

A resistor hey!  That seems pretty simple.  Not being particularly electrically minded, would it be a 12v resistor just before the guage?

Am thinking of fuel and temp guages!

[Range Rover Blues]

A basic guage works by having either a moving coil meter (like a multi meter) or a bimetalic strip meter (heated by a coil of wire) in series with a variable resitor, frequently making the ground connection.

One answer would be an electronic voltage regulator down to about 8volts, even 12 volt cars have regulators to a lower voltage.

Another solution is to add a series resitor but thiscould effect you max/min readings, making the guage less sensitive but if you know accuratley the resistance of the 'sender' then this is one of the easiest methods.

Also on a bimetalic strip guage you could double the length of resitance wire around the strip, effectively doubling the working voltage of the guage, again this could effect accuracy.

The resistor should (I think, it is late) be the same value as the resistance of the meter, therin lies the problem with bimetalic strip guages as this value changes as they heat up, still not impossible with a little work.

[snezza69]

Sounds like its way beyond my abilities, I will have to keep an eye out for 24v dials!

[Needalanny]

Easiest way is to buy a voltage dropper.
There are loads out there as trucks use them.
I used to have 3 of them, but gave them to my uncle for his truck.
I did have 2 of them in my lightweight a few years ago, as i ran 12 radio, seperate amp, and 12v spotlights.

If you get a 24v-12v voltage dropper, just wire it into an ignition source, and wire the gauges into the dropper 12v positive. Easy peasy....

Then you can buy any kind of 12v gauge you like.
The next problem depending on what type you buy would be the electrical senders.
If you stick to mechanical gauges as much as possible you shouldn't go wrong.
What type of gauges are you after?

[blueboar]

Try giving these chaps a call  http://www.pablanchard.co.uk/

[mark.yellow.series.3]

wouldnt it be easier to wire two guages in series?