Wiring gauges...one more time

[cosborne]

So, I guess I'm not all that smart after all. Just got everything I need (I think) to install my gauges on the A-pillar. They are Di-pricol Pyro, transmission Temp and Boost. I have read and read and read and searched for all the info I needed, but one thing bothers me. I read that you guys tapped the key-on fuse and the dash light fuse. My guages have two wires coming off the backs... one red, one black. I am thinking that the black is ground of course and the red should go to the dash light fuse? I don't need the key-on power unless I was running electronic gauges?

Someone please set me straight... I know I tend to overthink things..... Sorry

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I'm not real sure it this is right but it works for me, get the Key On power from the cigarette lighter and the dimmer for the lights from the light switch. Pull the dash cover off(carefully) then pull the light switch out, use a test light and find the wire that controls the dimmer and tap into it, Mines worked like that for 15 Months. The Lighter power came from here and is easier, don't worry about bugging the TDR someone is always ready to answer a question.



Jim

 

[cosborne]

Jim,

Are you saying to use both the key on power and dash light power to my one red wire for the bulbs in the gauges?

 

[Bob Wagner]

quick and simple use fuse # 5 and 13



one is key on the other is dimming, its raining here so I am not going out to check which is which



but its the way to go



Bob

 

[damon]

Cosborne -



I have the same guage setup as you, and the only guage that will need key-on power is the trans temp. For all of the other guages, the lights just use a ground and dimmed power to the black/red wires as you described. For power, I used Littlefuse Add-a-circuit which took a little dremel modification but work real well.



So you should run three power wires to your guages:



key-on + : for trans temp guage



dimmed + : for all guage lights



ground



Hope this helps, and once you are done, let me know if your boost guage rattles. I have tried 2 dipricol boost guages and have not gotten rid of the annoying sound.

 

[rblomquist]

I've got gauge #1 (Westach Trans Temp) coming from Geno's in the mail as we speak and I'm wondering how people are tapping into these fuses when you have more than 1 gauge to "plumb". I'm just wondering for then I want to add my EGT gauge sometime after I get the temp in and then I'm sure I'll eventually add a boost.

 

[cosborne]

I just plan on wiring all of them together and then using a single tap into the dash light fuse..... along with a single ground for all three.

 

[damon]

I would run the three wires (ground, key-on, dimmed) you need up into your guage pods or pillar and split them as necessary up there rather than run multiple hot and grounds. If I had to do it over again, I would go to Radio Shack and get some nice reusable connectors which would make it much easier to remove the guages or pillar without having to cut and resplice the wires.



You will find that there is not a lot of room to run the wires, trans temp sender, boost tube, and pyro sender all down through the a-pillar and below the dash, so the fewer wires the better.

 

[dshockley]

On my install, I used the key on power tap to run the trans temp gauge, the pyro and tach. The boost gauge is mechanical. I then picked up the dimmed power for the lights for all four gauges. On my gauges, Autometer, the red was ignition power, the white was light power and the black was the ground.

Good Luck,

Dan

 

[rblomquist]

Originally posted by damon

Cosborne -



. For power, I used Littlefuse Add-a-circuit which took a little dremel modification but work real well.



.

Damon,



What modification did you have to do? I just put in my transmission temp and power it using the mini add-a-circuit but it doesn't "lock into" the fuse receptacle like any mini fuse I tried did. I used the seat belt fuse (forgot what #) anyway, it will jingle around going down the road sometime, which causes the seatbelt light to come on and lock the belts in position (until the vechicle is shut down and started again). The only difference I can see is the add-a-circuit has a square end on each prong vice pointed tips.

 

[AggieJustin]

I think I made the same Dremel modification.



Grind the tips of the Add-a-circuit down some, till they more closely resemble the tips of a mini-fuse. It helps hold it in there. Before I did that, I had trouble with the Add-a-circuit jumping out.



JM

 

[damon]

I did not have to grind the contacts any shorter, but I did have to use the dremel to create the channels that allow the add-a-cicuit to seat into the fusebox. If you look at one of the mini-fuses that you pull out of your truck and compare it to the add-a-circuit, you'll see that the mini-fuse has a 4 U shaped channels or grooves that allows the fuse to fit. A small dremel bit or maybe a mini file will allow you to create that groove in your add-a-circuit, and once I did that I have never had a problem. I imagine that you could force the add-a-circuit into the panel, but I was afraid of breaking the plastic panel which would be a big pain to replace.



Let me know if you look at your fuses and don't see what I am trying to explain, and I'll get some pics to help.

 

[cosborne]

Heys guys...



I got mine all in, just need to install the transmission temp sender...



I had two little fuse add a circuits, both with the same part number... one I had to modify and create the channels that damon mentioned but the other already had them !!! Hmmmmmm

 

[rblomquist]

Damon et al,



Thanks for the info. I'll look for the channels after I get back from work tonight. Will also look at the ones with pre-made channels at Autozone.



Thanks a lot!

 

[dezeldog]

wiring gauges

cosborne, I did as you mentionedtying all the lite wires together and same with the negs. only problem is that now when I turn the lites on I gain 1# of fuel pressure. That is the only gauge that's affected Go figure!!!



Jim

 

[cosborne]

Thats kind of weird??

I haven't done the fuel pressue gauge yet... I had planned on putting it down in front of the transfer case lever near the floor... .



I assume its an electrical gauge and tied to your key on power fuse... . the only thing I can thionk of is that the electronics are sensitive enough to affect the internal sender????



Anybody else have any thoughts?

 

[FourBarR]

gauges

did my gauges a little different. i have westach egt, / boost , trans/ engine temps. and fuel pressure. made a custom panel from micarta (material used in aircraft). i mounted terminal strips to this panel . ran all wiring from engine to panel under dash. panel was attached to a brace on left upper side of dash with 2 ss screws and tinnerman nuts for easy removal using only screw driver. left wires slightly long so by removing screws it can be brought down below brake pedalwork on. one terminal strip is for grounds, one for lights and one for power. used little fuse add a circuit connect to fuses 5& 8. been installed for a few months no problems yet. Oo.