Is this the job for a diode?

[rweis]

Put in painless fuse block about 6 weeks ago. Pink to #16 ACC side (off when not in acc or start or run)

Put in gauges about 6 weeks ago, one of the painless circuits for 12 v power to gauges. Tapped dimmer (tan wire) to dim the gauges. Runs great, dims fine, life is good.



Put in Comp today. Hooked Comp B+ to painless independent circuit even on the other relay leg from the gauges.



Lights off, runs fine. Lights on and dimmer off, runs fine. Lights on and dimmer at max bright, runs fine. Lights on and dimmer not at max bright, the gauge power goes to zero, of course pyro still runs (self generating). Comp goes to off.



Sounds like a feedback voltage through the dimmer circuit? I am thinking the fix is to put a diode in the dimmer circuit pointing toward the gauge lights so the dimmer 12V can only go one way. You can put the dimmer on max bright, all runs fine, as you turn the dimmer to less than max bright you can see the (electric) FP gauge start dropping off then crash to zero.



Think I should put a diode in the Comp B+ pointing at the Comp too? Got lots of diodes that should work.



Could put a diode in the gauge B+ circuit pointing at the gauges too.



What do you think?



Anyone else have this kind of problem?



Might just diode everything now and in the future.



Bob Weis

 

[bmoeller]

Have never used any products from PW, but it sounds like you are hooked up to the wrong wire for the Comp. When you dim the gauge lights, it is also droppng the voltage to the box. Need to hook up to a wire that has constant 12v supply for it to work right.



If the PW power block only has one feed wire, you will need to find a different wire to tap to that doesn't go to the PW block.



If it is set up for different feed wires (1 or more with key on or from the batt). then it will be easy.



I ran my gauge lights (there are 4 bulbs; 2 large, 2 small) direct from the dash lights (fuse tap), not through an extra relay. No problems.

 

[JBlock]

COmp on the Number 17

Check what fuse, I think edge recomend number 17 do the box is on during the starting cycle.



JB

 

[rweis]

A little checking with a multimeter today turned up a bad ground in the gauge circuit.



Just to let y'all know what the fix was. Current was flowing in the wrong direction, but for the above reason.



Thanks for the input,



Bob Weis



Oh and I did put the Comp on fuse #17 just to be on the correct side as per printed instructions. The little fuse tap that comes with the Comp caused the fuse cavity to need a tiny bit of trimming FYI.



Thread closed