Help with wire colors for gauge install

[Lazy-Boy]

The ashtray light is fed by two wires - an orange and then a black with brown stripe. My FP gauge has a wire for dimmer control.

(1st question): which of those two ashtray light wires should I tap into for dimmer?

(2nd question): can I do power AND ground from cigarette lighter wires red and black, or should I ground somewhere else?



Here’s what I’m doing if you want more detail or have any better suggestions.

I’m installing a Nordskog fuel pressure gauge that has four wires. I’m installing it under the cigarette lighter at the bottom edge of the dash. The four wires on the gauge are:

Red - 12Volt, was going to hook to cig lighter red

Black – Ground, was going to hook to cig lighter black

Purple – Dimmer, dims the gauge when receives 12V

Orange – Sender



Got any better ideas?

Thanks

 

[illflem]

On earlier models the dimmer circuit wires are tan, yours very well could be different. Doesn't the ashtray light go off when closed? Better tap in ahead of the switch. The cig lighter taps are a good choice except that the lighter runs off a high amp fuse, if anything were to short you could get a wire meltdown. A better choice would be to pull 12+ from the back of the stereo since you are in that area, ground can come from any under dash metal framework. You will also find a dimmer wire to the stereo. I ended up not using the dimmer option on my Nordskog gauge, it was too dim, might want to check it out first and see what you think.

 

[Lazy-Boy]

Got it going

Thanks illflem,

After I took the lower cubby hole off I saw a metal beam going across with two holes already drilled out. Guess they were for the automatics with the different cup holders or something. Nothing else was using those holes. Anyway, I had a good screw that fit so I grounded at one of these holes instead of the cigarette ground.



I'm not sure if you and I have the same gauge but on the dimmer instructions it said to supply 12v to dim. That's why I wanted to go in the ashtray light wires. The gauge pig-tail could reach them without adding more wire. After my post I went out and just took a guess and tapped the orange wire. Got lucky as it was the right one. Now, as soon as that ashtray light goes on, my gauge dims 50%. I do have the tan dimmer wire at the truck's light switch. I guess somewhere back in the dash it splits off to other wires or something.



You also mentioned your gauge wasn't bright enough. That's odd, mines too bright. I can clearly see the dimmed numbers with my shades on in the bright sun?? I'm using the Nordskog M8024 S8424 gauge and sender. The gauge displays in amber color. Before I bought the gauge I had read here that the gauge was bright with big numbers. That's why I put it down at the bottom of the dash. I didn't want big bright numbers in my face.

Anyway, the gauge is all set now. Now I just have to wait for those drilled banjo bolts to show up. Geno's says the washers that come with them are on back order.

 

[illflem]

Now that you mention the gauge being too bright, it brings back memories from 7 years ago, my red colored gauge was also too bright, not too dim. I ended up connecting the purple and red wires together for permanent night mode.