Gauges install today

[03-GMC]

Ok so my gauges are set to be in today and i will be installing them today after work. Where is a good place to splice in for power? I have heard some people hook them up to the factory dimmer. I have never done gauges before and any help would be great I am sure i could figure it out but it's easier when people give you pointers.
Thanks,
Derek

 

[Jasondt2001]

Ok, you'll need to 12 volt positive sources....
1. For the power for the EGT gauge
2. For the dimming of the gauges (commonly the dimmer wire).

If I was you I would buy a add-a-tap from Autozone or something, makes it much easier to get the 12 volt switched power, and then as much as I hate them a wire splice (sometimes called scotch locks I believe) to get power from the dimmer wire.
Go to this garage (mine) on dp to see what i did... hopefully it'll help:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garage.php?do=view&g=13677

 

[03-GMC]

Awesome man thank you very much for that. Do you think the wire to the dimmer is the same color as my 03? You have the same gauges as i bought. They look sweet!!!

 

[paint94979]

Awesome man thank you very much for that. Do you think the wire to the dimmer is the same color as my 03? You have the same gauges as i bought. They look sweet!!!

I don't believe the 03's and 07's are the same color... IIRC my dimmer wire was brown. Do a quick search on the DP you will find the answer

 

[Jasondt2001]

I LOVE these gauges!

Take out a test light, put the ground clamp on the doorjamb nuts.
Then take out the headlight switch assy.

Turn the dimmer half way up; turn on the parking lights.... when you get a half lit test light turn the dimmer up and down ; if the light changes you got the dimmer wire!
Just to be safe I'd also turn the lights on and off to make sure that same wire goes on and off too.

That's how I had to do mine, it's not bad at all! If you can change a battery you'll be FINE finding that wire; and you'll thank yourself later...

 

[Alligator]

Awesome man thank you very much for that. Do you think the wire to the dimmer is the same color as my 03? You have the same gauges as i bought. They look sweet!!!

Got install pics? How'd you get along? Hope my pics on the DF helped.

 

[E.carter]

Ok, you'll need to 12 volt positive sources....
1. For the power for the EGT gauge
2. For the dimming of the gauges (commonly the dimmer wire).

If I was you I would buy a add-a-tap from Autozone or something, makes it much easier to get the 12 volt switched power, and then as much as I hate them a wire splice (sometimes called scotch locks I believe) to get power from the dimmer wire.
Go to this garage (mine) on dp to see what i did... hopefully it'll help:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garage.php?do=view&g=13677

Same way I did it.... with a add a circuit and scotch lock. Only complait I have is that I used one wire to both gauges (egt and boost) on the lighting circuit and when I dim them one dims lower than the other.

 

[Philtopgun]

Hey is there a way to make the gauges not so bright? I have mine on the dimmer switch and cant get them dark enough without turning out the dash lights.... congrats on the add on, I just looked at the gauges and there r nice!
:cool2:

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Autometer makes a dimmer...it looks to be like a rheostat. Also a friend of mine told me he just bought the same type of dimmer from Radioshack this weekend...but I can't remember the product name.

 

[Philtopgun]

Autometer makes a dimmer...it looks to be like a rheostat. Also a friend of mine told me he just bought the same type of dimmer from Radioshack this weekend...but I can't remember the product name.

found autometer dimmer. can I buy a resistor to bring the power down on the gauges, then dim them with the oem dimmer or do I need to just buy a seperate dimmer like the autometer one?

 

[Whitetail Addict]

I would buy a seperate dimmer and install it in the power feed for the lights...but I am more familiar with residential wiring than automotive wiring.

 

[Alligator]

330 ohm resistor in line with the dimmer light does the trick. You can buy 10 of them for $1.00 at Radio Shack. That's how I've done them for a few years now, my truck included.

 

[Philtopgun]

330 ohm resistor in line with the dimmer light does the trick. You can buy 10 of them for $1.00 at Radio Shack. That's how I've done them for a few years now, my truck included.

excellant. I can do this. :hug:

 

[Alligator]

If you notice, the tape is about 2" long, that's what's covering the 330 ohm resistor

 

[Philtopgun]

cant wait to buy the resistor. I look like a damn smurf at night!:spit:

 

[Alligator]

haha, Papa Smurf:happy2:

 

[d-max joe]

i done mine while back and every time i dim my guage light my pyro gauge stops until i turn truck off and on. any ideas? sorry for sugject change

 

[Alligator]

i done mine while back and every time i dim my guage light my pyro gauge stops until i turn truck off and on. any ideas? sorry for sugject change

Hmm, how are you powering your gauge?

 

[d-max joe]

thru the fog lights could not find and other power under there.. sorry took so long i forgot about this thread.