Wow! Can you say 'void the warranty'?

Anyhow, I don't know how much current it takes to run the instrument panel,
and I don't know your level of electronic expertise, but you might want to
consider a simple voltage regulator. Single chip regulators in 1 amp
varieties are available in most voltages. And ones that can handle greater
currents are not that difficult to build.

"Ivan Vegvary" wrote in message
news:xeyoj.2424$fg.157@trndny03...
I'm showing my age!!

Does anybody make a car battery that has external connectors (buss)
between cells. If I remember correctly all batteries use to have this
back in the '50's ±.

Here's my problem. I converted my 1948 Pontiac to 12 volts. All bulbs
have been changed along with the ignition coil and the alternator. (6
volt starters LOVE 12 volts. Spin real fast!!) However the standard
solution to run the gauges is to install a giant drop resistor. Seems to
be an inefficient way to handle this.

On old batteries you simply drove a sheet metal screw into the lead buss
on top of the battery and tapped as many cells as you needed to get a
lower voltage. Can present day batteries be tapped somehow? Any ideas?

Thanks,

Ivan Vegvary