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Voltage stabilizer

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Bob Claffie

Bob Claffie

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I need a Voltage stabilizer for my project. My question is : are they universal or are they marque specific. If it's a case of one size fits all and anyone has a surplus one it would really get me out of a tight spot. Suggestions ? Bob
 
<span style="font-size: 10pt">If it's for a British car with a 12volt system, they are all the same....sort of...
The OEM ones were of the on-off cycling type that averaged around 10v output for steady gauge readings.
The new type (sold by Moss & others) are of the solid state type and produce an exact 10v, but they are polarity sensitive.
IMO the new type are far superior to the original type.
Hope this helps.
Frank</span>

[color:#003300][/color]
 
+1 on the new solid state type.

The ones sold by Moss are very reasonably priced... typically much less expensive than NOS Smiths units.
 
If you are a bit handy, you can just buy a 7810 voltage stabilizer chip. they cost about $1. and solder it in. I put my back in the original box. only 3 leads, input, output and ground. the moss stabilizer is probably the exact same thing.
 
I have done the same. In fact, on our Spitfire, I have one 7810 chip per electric gauge with the chip mounted right on the mounting screws for the gauge. However, that isn't for everyone.

For those interested, I have a PDF about making your own voltage stabilizer. The chips are available from Mouser.com
https://home.mindspring.com/~purlawson/files/SmithsVoltageStabilizer.pdf

The easiest method is just to solder leads to the chip and over the solder joints with heat shrink tubing. This simplified solution can be seen in the picture link below from my friend Wes.
https://www.adocars.com/elf-ado/elf/elfimages/v-reg.jpg
 
BTW if you want a positive ground version just use a 7910
 
Neat tips in this thread. Thank you.
FWIW;
I replaced a functioning 40 year old VR with one of the newer solid state VR's during restoration of my TR6. After only 3 or 4 years of use (you know, driving occasionally during the season) it failed.
I replaced the failed unit with the original I had removed years before.
It's still working 2 years later.
Go figure.
 
Adrio said:
BTW if you want a positive ground version just use a 7910
Click to expand...

<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Good luck finding a 7910 chip. I never found a U.S. source for them. </span> You can also use an LM337T chip and two feedback resistors to make a -10V regulator. It's a bit more work but not expensive.

EDIT: Thanks Randall !!!
 
Well DARN Randall !!!

I admit it has been a couple of years since I last looked for the 7910 chip. At that time no one had them!

Thanks for looking and pointing out they are available. I will put some on my next Mouser order!
 
Ordered four of those electronic devices Friday. Shipping will be more than the cost of the parts but the whole package will still be less expensive than buying a "real" one. It may be months before I get to install and test but at least I'll be able to continue with the dash rebuild in the Tiger. Just so you guys don't get teeded of at me I have owned some Spitfires a while back and once upon a time a TR3B. Thanks, Bob
 
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