North American Turbocoupe Organization



Instrument Voltage Regulator - Redux
wbrco Offline
Been around a long time
#1
I've read Jeff Korn's article several times over the years, and have yet to try it. Partially because I didn't quite understand exactly what the requirements are of the dash cluster being fed by the old mechanical regulator.

Can someone confirm the following points:

The cluster really runs on 5 volts?
The cluster really only draws 700ma (.7 amps) worst case?
What are the DC ripple requirements of the gauges? I can't imagine that they are too sensitive.

I also have a couple of questions - maybe directed to Jeff, or others as required.

Why use a 5 amp regulator when National has had 3 amp TO220 based regulators out for years? This seems to be overkill both for size and heat sink requirements, considering that the max load is 700ma.

Has anyone tried any of the new(er) switch mode regulators? There are a number of them out now that can provide 5V at 2-3 amps over a broad voltage input range, and they are small. Being switch mode, they also don't generate the heat like the old linear regulators do.

Example:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/7308

http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM2593HV.html#Overview

Thanks!
Allen
1988 TurboCoupe 5 Speed - 50,XXX Miles, stock as a rock. I drove it off the showroom floor in January 1989....
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#2
Only the oil, coolant, and fuel gauges run on the AVERAGE 5V signal the mechanical IVR produces. SPeedo, tach, idiot lights run on a seperate 12 V feed. The gauges are thermal (bimetal strip) gauges, and have a very long time constant, so ripple, etc wont bother them at all. Yes, with all 3 gauges at the max reading, they will draw 700-750 mA total. I used a 5 amp regulator for total overkill and reliability. Remember ICs are derated as ambient temp goes up. I have seen the inside of my car hit 140 deg F when parked outside in the hot summer sun.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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wbrco Offline
Been around a long time
#3
Oh heck!! Why re-invent the wheel..

http://www.current-logic.com/shop/index....cts_id=204 $10.50 and designed for automotive applications. Up to 45 degrees C ambient
1988 TurboCoupe 5 Speed - 50,XXX Miles, stock as a rock. I drove it off the showroom floor in January 1989....
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RDOG Offline
Posting Freak
#4
Or this one. They have a Thunderbird specific one. just ask them and they will invoice you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-S...3f03cd3d39
1986 Turbo Coupe. Boport StageIII head, Boport 2.1, Performance Techniques 50 trim hybird, StageII.63, stinger 3" exhaust, Phenolic spacer, Boglog header,NPR FMIC intercooler setup, kirban fpr, bigrmotorsports fuel rail, diablo water meth kit, CAI, remote mount TFI, CHE rear adj control arms, MAC girdle, 8.8 rear disc, aluminum drive shaft, H&R lowerings springs Tbird Turbo Specific, y MAS!!
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#5
I built my own for 2 reasons: 1) I had most of the parts laying around, so cost was about $2 or so) I like building / designing circuits..... my Physics / EE backround showing here.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
Reply

wbrco Offline
Been around a long time
#6
Quote:Originally posted by RDOG:
Or this one. They have a Thunderbird specific one. just ask them and they will invoice you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-S...3f03cd3d39
Gee - looks like a little buck switching regulator.. Big Grin No heatsink, a couple of coils and caps, and all SMT.

This will probably be the next project after I get converted over to R134a. My brother offered me his last 12oz can of R12, but I'm just going to take the dive.
1988 TurboCoupe 5 Speed - 50,XXX Miles, stock as a rock. I drove it off the showroom floor in January 1989....
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