New Voltmeter conversion from RT-ENG.

[Justins72]

Where did you see the rt-eng unit at? I looked on the site but couldn't find it

[UKcuda]

OK I just looked at how the stock ammeter works - it has no coil at all, and no shunt either, just a big fat brass conductor and a reactive permanent magnet attached to the needle.

Good old Mopar !

= no way you could convert it to work as a volmeter without changing the internals.

Oh well, it was worth a look.

[ragtopdodge]

I forget who did a group buy a while back on Rallye gauges but most of us who did it got the volt meter upgrade. Its obvious only if you look at it, it blends right into the rest of the gauges. Sorry but I dont have an actual pic of the gauge itself, only the cluster with a the woodgrain sitting on it. If no one else chimes in with a pic I will take another one and post it if you want me to.

Here's a better pic (not my dash):



Face defiitely needs to be calibrated and I do NOT like the way it reads RIGHT to LEFT (we're not in China, are we?).

The Sun aftermarket one reads LEFT to RIGHT so it should work.  Just gotta figure out how to utilize the factory needle and get a new custom-faced decal/silk screen (I wonder if Redline is doing this; i.e. utilizing a Sun gauge).

[ragtopdodge]

I bought one of those gauges last Thursday, I saw it in Mopar Action for charger's rallye dash & figured it was worth a try on the E-body rallye dash. The mounting studs are almost the same width and with a little work, the gauge bolts in. I figured I will bypass the Ammeter and run a circuit for the voltmeter. For the face I am either going to custom make one or more likely use one of the decal kits that can be bought on eBay (I already have it). Figured I really dont need to see the actual voltage, just know the range. Anyhow, I plan on finishing my little experiment in the next week or two(waiting on stuff from RT-eng) so I can post pictures when Im done.....

THere's a decal kit for a voltmeter conversion for an e-body rallye gauge on e-bay???

Got a link?

[ShelbyDogg]

This is what I was going to use. I came out of a 98 Dodge Van and swept bottom to top or left to right.


I was going to rub on some new numbers. to stand them up, then trim the bottom off. The back of the gauge looks like this though. 



I would have to cut a hole in the back ruining my cluster. That's why I'm looking for a more shallow voltmeter. to use the existing holes. That's why a spare temp gauge with RT-ENG's sending unit may work perfectly.

[bb71challenger]

Here's a better pic (not my dash):



Face defiitely needs to be calibrated and I do NOT like the way it reads RIGHT to LEFT (we're not in China, are we?).

The Sun aftermarket one reads LEFT to RIGHT so it should work.  Just gotta figure out how to utilize the factory needle and get a new custom-faced decal/silk screen (I wonder if Redline is doing this; i.e. utilizing a Sun gauge).

Yep, thats the one. I dont have a problem with the way it sweeps or faces. I just wanted a functional volt meter instead of the volatile amp gauge. A modification like this changes the original look of the cluster anyway. Its the functionality that does the trick for me but I could see where others might want something different.

[redlinegw]

Here is a pic of an amp to voltmeter conversion done by Redline Gauge Works. The cost is $180 and it does require that you send the cluster in as an assembly that way the job gets done right and it look likes it belongs there. A voltmeter scale can be added to the face for an additional $40 and it will be printed on the face no decal or sticker. All gauge repairs and conversions include a 2 year warranty and you get a fast turn around with the best customer service in the gauge restoration business. Give them a call at (661) 259-8891

[ragtopdodge]

Wow, that looks great!  Safer too!

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

 

Looks Good.

[ShelbyDogg]

Here was the follow up on my voltmeter conversion.

I bought a gauge cluster from a friend for $10, out of a 98 Dodge van. It has a voltmeter that points to the right and swings up from the down position. This would be perfect for my voltmeter conversion. I can rotate it downward and install it where the ammeter is. Some of those other companies install voltmeters but they swing to the left, which won't look right in my eye. Here is the meter. it will have to be trimmed down. I will leave it saying "'ALT" and not change it to volt.





Before it fits it will have to bet trimmed down and a hole drilled.

















I like the one from redlinegw because the rear of the cluster doesn't have to be cut, right?  Good to have spares though.

[duodec]

I really want to find a way to use an inductive ammeter in the dash.  You'd still need to run the big wire up and back (and take care of the bulkhead connection issue) but that wire would just run through some clips; no connections and no delicate instrument that could fry.

I don't know the size or depth of the mechanism involved yet (haven't found a purpose made inductive car ammeter at cheap prices, or a sacrificial tool ammeter to experiment with).

But I'd really prefer to leave an ammeter in the car if possible (and safe).  It would just feel right.

[filmsurgeon]

Here is a pic of an amp to voltmeter conversion done by Redline Gauge Works. The cost is $180 and it does require that you send the cluster in as an assembly that way the job gets done right and it look likes it belongs there. A voltmeter scale can be added to the face for an additional $40 and it will be printed on the face no decal or sticker. All gauge repairs and conversions include a 2 year warranty and you get a fast turn around with the best customer service in the gauge restoration business. Give them a call at (661) 259-8891

That's my cluster!!  Nice job guys!!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I talked to a woman @ redline today, looks like I'm in need. I may just check them out.

[ragtopdodge]

Does Redline have a face where it goes from 0-18v?  Not just D and C?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

A voltmeter scale can be added to the face for an additional $40 and it will be printed on the face no decal or sticker.