i have a 72 dash cluster non rally on a duster, and was wondering if anybody knows how to test the gauges to make sure they are working properly..also i want to convert the amp gauge to read volts instead. If you know somwhere I can send it to for a reasonable price that may work too. I called redline and they wanted two arms and a leg just to do the following..the cluster looks to be in good shape, however I just want to make sure they are working properly before I reinstall it in the car..speedo works, just needs a cleaning and reoiling.

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Brian Long

Get a 6v battery and a 10 , 27 ohm, and 72 ohm resistor from Radio Shack. Connect the + of the battery to the side of the gauge that connects to the gauge common side in the cluster (that is fed from the voltage limiter). Then connect one end of the resistor to the connection on each gauge that normally connects through the harness out the the sensor (one at a time, of course). Then connect the other end the resistor to the - of the battery.

The gauges should read a bit above full (or maximum) with the 10 ohm resistor, a bit above 1/2 with the 27 ohm resistor, and a bit above empty with the 72 ohm resistor. The readingfs would be closer to F, 1/2, and E if you could get a 5V source in place of the 6V battery.

BTW, the way the guages work is that the voltage limiter reduces the 12v to an effective 5v and the sensor resistance varies the current through the gauges. The gauges are actually thermally responsive; here is a link to how they work: http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/htm/fuel_ga.htm

And for ideas on the ammeter to voltmeter conversion go here: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/for ... y.php?f=54

This is the electrical forum on the For A Boides Only site. If you do a search on this forum for 'voltmeter conversion' , you will get all sorts of good ideas.