Cleaned-up, and with some plastic polish for the bezel, that'd be a lovely Man-Cave decoration...perhaps even a useful tool for voltage and medium-amperage loads. I get a kick out of the "green" areas on the meter face indicating proper charging voltage for both "6-volt" and "12-volt" systems.
The difference between "decoration" and "useful tool" will depend on the condition of the internal circuitry. If there are any electrolytic capacitors inside, they'll have to be replaced and then the unit will need calibration. This may/may not be too difficult. The unit is old enough that there'll be no micro-parts--everything inside will be big enough to see and examine.
If this were mine, I'd open it up and have a look around BEFORE connecting it to power. Electrolytic capacitors have a service life of about 20--25 years, AND they degrade when not connected to power for about a year, maybe two. That guy is way older than 25 years, and if it hasn't seen voltage for over a year, it could be in trouble.
There's a process for "re-forming" electrolytic caps that havent had voltage applied to them for a year or more, but given the age you might as well solder in new ones.
The difference between "decoration" and "useful tool" will depend on the condition of the internal circuitry. If there are any electrolytic capacitors inside, they'll have to be replaced and then the unit will need calibration. This may/may not be too difficult. The unit is old enough that there'll be no micro-parts--everything inside will be big enough to see and examine.
If this were mine, I'd open it up and have a look around BEFORE connecting it to power. Electrolytic capacitors have a service life of about 20--25 years, AND they degrade when not connected to power for about a year, maybe two. That guy is way older than 25 years, and if it hasn't seen voltage for over a year, it could be in trouble.
There's a process for "re-forming" electrolytic caps that havent had voltage applied to them for a year or more, but given the age you might as well solder in new ones.
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