installing a volt gauge., question. Options

[cnelson]

Ok, i just order my volt gauge this afternoon. I am not worried because its an esay gauge to setup.. however where is the hole in the firewall that i need to run the wire through? If anyone has a picture of where it is and a little step by step on how to get there it would be awesome.

Thanks guys. -Chris.

[Tigawoods]

just use a wire tap to tap into any 12v wire u have running to any instruments, the gauge will always read 12 no matter where you put it, when u turn on the engine it will be 14.

[cnelson]

Wait.. so like i could just tap the wire that my cig liter uses? I mean i'm not sure.. but it doesn't seem right. I want to know what power the battery is putting out, not what power that line is useing.. sorry, correct me if i'm wrong.

[XS4lv1Truch0x]

Wait.. so like i could just tap the wire that my cig liter uses? I mean i'm not sure.. but it doesn't seem right. I want to know what power the battery is putting out, not what power that line is useing.. sorry, correct me if i'm wrong.

all power comes through the battery

so you will be getting a correct reading with any 12 volt + wire

i would attach it to a 12 volt switched wire so when the key is off the volt meter is off and when you turn the key it gets a reading.

[cnelson]

well is the cig liter switched off when the car goes off?

[D-Man]

Yes.

The cig. lighter accesses power when in "ACC" mode and in "IGN" mode. It does not recieve power durring "Key In" mode nor in "OFF" mode.

For complete wiring diagrams click here

This post has been edited by D-Man: Aug 12, 2008 - 9:37 AM

[cnelson]

these are what the directions say; http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/pdfinstruct...g7t7w7/volt.pdf

[D-Man]

Fuse yellow to battery
Ground Black to ground chassis
And Red to any remote power switch you'd like. Cigarette lighter is an optimum choice. also radio power is advisable. you can easily install a fused acc feed via the interior fuse panel.

Auto stores make a special fuse attachment that doubles a fuse slot.

[cnelson]

Yeah, the add-a-fuse things. I already have one set up for my LED lights on the inside.


But i will need to run the yellow wire to my battery correct?

[D-Man]

according to the manufactures directions, it requires a constant positive(+) feed. Any constant source of positive(+) energy will do fine. Make sure you add an inline fuse for added security. You can find Constant source's of energy located in your power door locks, ignition, interior lights, ect. The battery is the most common option.

[cnelson]

Ok, i have some interior LEDs that are hooked up.. they use the same fuse that my headlights are on because i used the add-a-fuse mini thing.

If i took both the yellow wire, and the red wire and attached them to the positive wire that i use for my LED lights would that work? (i'm not sure if that is a constant source of power) And then just ground it somewhere.


But if it needs a constant positive source i also don't want it to drain my battery.


Sorry if i sound like a complete moron here. I know some electric stuff, but this is really the first big thing i'm doing and i just want to make sure i do it right.

This post has been edited by cnelson: Aug 12, 2008 - 2:52 PM

[D-Man]

This is not what you want to do. This will deny the gauge an "off" setting. Even when you turn off the car, the gauge will stay on. This will drain your battery.

Run the yellow line from your Aftermarket radio's constant line. Then attach the ACC line to the "add-a-fuse: to the fuse for your Cig. Lighter located in the cabin. Ground the black one. Perfecto.

(IMO you should atach it to your altinator, but this will require much line running, and most likely for nothing.) the gauge will be work perfectly when tirggered to your cig lighter.

[cnelson]

Ok, so what else beside my radio could i use to run the yellow line? Because i don't want to splice that line and than if i don't do a good job at putting it all back together, or if the wire is slightly lose.. than my radio will not get power. (i only say this because i don't plan on soldering it, and i know that sometimes if i hit a bump my LEDs will flicker loseing power for a second, and i don't want that to happen to my radio..

[D-Man]

Oh good lord, please dont tell me you're sporting electrical tape?

Butt-connectors work wonders.

[cnelson]

hahaha. unfortunately i would love to tell you that i am not sporting electric tape, but i am.. however for this project i will drop to autozone and buy some butt-connectors. I mean, i don't mind if my lights flicker every now and than, except my radio is a little more important so i'll drop the 3 bucks on them, while i'm at it maybe i'll use them on my lights also.

[D-Man]

POSI-LOCK is For The MF WIN!! because you can use em, they'll hold well, and allow you to come and modify later! Wal*Mart, $3.00 to make sure you dont fry your stuff!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/POSI-LOCK-T...emZ350074811656

[cnelson]

and you can get those things at walmart? because if so i'll pick some up when i go up to the hardware store to have them cut my plastic for where i'm mounting my gauge.. (i will post pics, its a little surprise. ha)


but just so i'm clear, there really isn't any other wire that is right there that i could tap into huh? or even if i ran a new one from the inside fuse box if i knew what fuse to use.

This post has been edited by cnelson: Aug 12, 2008 - 3:27 PM

[Tigawoods]

invest in a good solder kit. solder your connections

[cnelson]

I guess i'll just have to use the radio and hope that i know what i'm doing. I'll be a little nervous, but if i get those connectors than i really shouldn't have a problem right?

This post has been edited by cnelson: Aug 12, 2008 - 3:36 PM

[D-Man]

and you can get those things at walmart? because if so i'll pick some up when i go up to the hardware store to have them cut my plastic for where i'm mounting my gauge.. (i will post pics, its a little surprise. ha)

but just so i'm clear, there really isn't any other wire that is right there that i could tap into huh? or even if i ran a new one from the inside fuse box if i knew what fuse to use.

Yup, cheap and easy. Make sure you get the posi-lock. It's the ones that you twist and they stay in place. Or 'splicers' for clamping into your cig line.

invest in a good solder kit. solder your connections

x150!!
But when i know that something isn't in permanent position, i'll use those posi-lock connectors. Or they also work wonders for testing equipment. You don't wanna solder something into your car when you're just testing it for sale. But you also don't want to leave wires flapping around!

But for this guys purposes, Solder and shrink wrap would be ideal. Posi-lock connectors are better than electrical tape though