Powering glow gauges, adjusting light output Options

[MattCelicaSR]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if its possible to use the dimmer knob to adjust the light output on the glow gauges, or do they require a constant 12 volt to make them light? Reason I ask, they are really bright at night, abit too bright!!

Cheers

[malpaso]

That's weird... I had two glow gauges and both had dimmer??? see:

maximum bright...


minimum bright... (needles are the same bright in both pictures of course because they have own dimer)

[MattCelicaSR]

My gauges didnt come with a dimmer, just an on/off switch which i directly connected to my side lights so that they would come on when you turn the light switch stalk.

So really I could just connect the 2 power wires directly into the dimmer knob on the dash and that should work i guess?

very bright at night


Day

[malpaso]

I'm sure it will work this way. I see you have the same style of gauges as I had so there should not be any problem with that.

[DEATH]

Yes it will work. I strongly suggest you use a wire t and not cut and splice the wires. The wires are very short and very easy to screw up. BTW - the color wire is green for the after dimmer power IIRC. It can be confusing if you haven't done it before as all the wires will show power but only the green one is effected by the dimmer.

[MattCelicaSR]

Thanks for the info

So the two wires that power the gauges, which one do i connect to the green wire, red or black or either?
sorry for all the questions, what to make sure I get it right.

[DEATH]

Thanks for the info

So the two wires that power the gauges, which one do i connect to the green wire, red or black or either?
sorry for all the questions, what to make sure I get it right.

You'd have to look at the wiring diagram on the gauge instructions to be sure but if you only have 2 wires in your kit and one is red and the other is black then I'd say Red is (+) and should go to the green wire in the dimmer and black is (-) and should go to ground [any unpainted metal surface will usually work].
And don't worry about the questions - IMO that's what this site is for - helping others and getting help.

[MattCelicaSR]

Cheers! I have put the black wire to ground already, I used the metal bar thats situated behind the gauge cluster. I'll attach the red wire to the green wire on the dimmer on thursday and see whats happens. Need to get them dimmed alittle, didnt realise they would be so bright at night, kinda distracting

[rjbibeau]

doesn't the ground have to be off the dimmer

[Supersprynt]

The dimmer isn't used besides dimming the needles.

[DEATH]

doesn't the ground have to be off the dimmer

No. I have my gauges run to the dimmer right now but the (-) just runs to a metal bracket near the fuse box. This setup just allows the aftermarket gauges to dim with the stock gauges to make it look more professional.

[tonytutino]

"As most indiglo gauges require a constant 12 volts to run, wiring the gauges to your dimmer switch is not a good idea, because the voltage from the dimmer wire fluctuates based on the position of the dimmer knob, which can cause your indiglo gauges not to work at all."


(from the How To)



just sayinnnnnnnnnn

[DEATH]

I don't use glow gauges - I don't like the way they look. I meant for my Boost gauge, A/F Gauge and Volts meter in my a pillar pod I hooked them up to the dimmer so they would dim with the rest of the gauges.
But I see your point - this thread was originally about helping someone power their glow gauges and Super was right when he said the dimmer only works for the needles when used with glow gauges.
If you look - I was just answering the question about useing the (-) in the dimmer.