Optix Gauge Install Question???

[HBarlow]

I recently purchased a set of three fancy new Optix gauges from Genos and my mechanic friend and I will begin installing them tomorrow. We opened the boxes tonight and inspected them.



I have a question about the electrical hookup. If my memory serves me correctly according to the diagram provided the pyrometer requires only 12v + and 12v - connections (hot and ground I assume). The boost and transmission temp gauges call for 12v + and 12v - connections as well as LED + and LED -.



I've never seen anything calling for LED + and - connections. What is the meaning of LED + and -? Do we simply connect the LED connections to the dash light circuit downstream of the dimmer potentiometer? It seems I remember reading a discussion about this a few months ago and there was some mention of brightness controls for the LED backlights.



Any information or advice will be appreciated.



Harvey

 

[RankRam]

Harvey I'm bringing this back to the top to see how your install went.



I plan on ordering these Optix guages and would like to know how you like them.



Thanks!

 

[Parks]

LED lighting requires the the positive side and negative side to be installed in accordance. If they are reversed the light will not work. Unlike incandescent bulbs which it does not matter how they are hooked up as long as there is power. You can hook up the lighting down stream of the dimmer and it will work just like your dash lights. Some LED lights will not.

I hope this helps.

 

[HBarlow]

I ran out of time and didn't get my gauges installed before I hit the road again. I have been on the road and hadn't had the opportunity to get back on the forum.



I'll post after the guages are installed.



Harvey

 

[RankRam]

Harvey thanks for the reply, I got my Optix guages yesterday and won't have time to install them until Sunday.



I didn't get the install kit that has the inline dimmers, I do hope that wiring the guages into the dimmer wire from the truck will be good enough.

 

[7FA]

Guys. . FWIW I installed my Optix gauges a few weeks ago and searched high and low for a 12v source that came on with the lights, but was not dimmed. Finally found one located on behind the center dash bezel on the driver side. I'm not sure what it is for in some trucks, but in my 2wd 2004. 5 SLT there was an unused 2 wire harness below the cigarette lighter that was 12v on with the lights on and not tied to the dimmer. Hooked my LED connections up here and the lights work great.



Good luck

 

[RankRam]

7FA do you have the inline dimmers, or are you saying that the lighting works fine without using the trucks dimmer wire?



Thanks

 

[7FA]

Good point. Sorry I did not mention that. I have the Optix wiring harness with the indivdual dimmers. I'm glad I got them because it was nice to be able to dial each gauge in so the lighting matched up exactly. Turned all the way up all 4 of my gauges lighting were different brightnesses. I honestly don't know how they would look or function if they were hooked to the dimmer circuit.



Sorry for the confusion and let me know if you need any other info.

 

[7FA]

RankRam,

I just re-read your post where you mentioned you did not get the dimmers. I apologize for the confusing info. I would suggest you hook them up and just try it. The reason I got the dimmers is because someone mentioned to me (dont know if it is true or not) that the LEDs dont dim like normal lights with the voltage and that the dimmer thingy was the only way to get them to dim.



Good luck!

 

[RankRam]

RankRam,

I just re-read your post where you mentioned you did not get the dimmers. I apologize for the confusing info. I would suggest you hook them up and just try it. The reason I got the dimmers is because someone mentioned to me (dont know if it is true or not) that the LEDs dont dim like normal lights with the voltage and that the dimmer thingy was the only way to get them to dim.



Good luck!

Thanks for the reply, it sounds like I better get the install kit.



It's better to just do it right the first time!

 

[JZellers]

Hi All,



I just installed mine a few weeks ago and didn't get the dimmers. I thought I'd try it first with the dash light dimmer. They do dim but not very smoothly, though - as you turn the thumbwheel down the led's will drop in 3 or 4 separate graduations, not drop variably like the dash lights will. No matter what position they're in, I see the same issue as 7FA where the gauge lighting isn't exactly the same from gauge to gauge. I'm going to add the inline dimmers...

 

[RankRam]

JZellers thanks for the info, I just ordered the dimmer kit from Rip Rook. (Thanks Rip)



rip@sourceautomotive. biz



I'll just have to wait a little longer to get the guages wired, oh well.

 

[7FA]

Rank,

I think you'll like the dimmers. They work just like one in your house and they let you dial in the brightness exactly. I set up my EGT on the pillar to be a little duller than the 3 in the cubby because it gave me less glare at night. Only gauge that doesn't look spot on it the transmission temp gauge. For some reason it glows more purplish than black and has a little more light leakage than the others. Overall i am very pleased with them though. I will try to take some pics and post later tonight.

 

[RankRam]

Rank,

I think you'll like the dimmers. They work just like one in your house and they let you dial in the brightness exactly. I set up my EGT on the pillar to be a little duller than the 3 in the cubby because it gave me less glare at night. Only gauge that doesn't look spot on it the transmission temp gauge. For some reason it glows more purplish than black and has a little more light leakage than the others. Overall i am very pleased with them though. I will try to take some pics and post later tonight.

I look forward to seeing any pics that you have.



I should have my guages installed by Thursday if everything goes as planned. LOL I did find the time today to drill and tap my manifold.

 

[CEpp]

are the leds intregrated into the guage or are they removable? if removeable. . what kinda base is the bulb. . pics helpful. .