Gauge wiring questions

[45acpJr]

I'm starting to prepare for my DIY4x dash install and also my new gauges What I am wanting to do is wire the removeable panel so all I have to do is disconnect a singular connector to remove the panel. All of my gauges have a + and ground for the lighting and then also another ground, ignition, and signal. Can I daisy chain like connections (ie lighting + and ground)? I was planning on using 12 gauge wire, will that be enough to supply everything evenly?

 

[dremu]

IMO, #12 would be overkill, and hard to crimp/solder.

The hot and grounds and lighting shouldn't draw more than, I donno, an amp all told (the lighting might make that a bit more), but for the coupla feet involved you can go much smaller and be fine. I think mine was done with #18 or #20.

You can absolutely combine the hot, ground and backlight connections. It's kinda hard to see, but on mine

the lighting ground combines with the signal ground on most every gauge and then gets combined upstream somewhere, and if you look on the two to the right you can see the grey wire (the lighting) is combined from gauge to gauge and then on to the big Molex connector I used to make the unit removable as a whole.

Which, to answer your first question last, is a very good idea.

-- A

 

[45acpJr]

Thanks for the fast response. After looking at your pic I now have a few more questions. What gauges are you using in that cluster (type not style) and what is that connection block on the right hand side?

 

[dremu]

Thanks for the fast response. After looking at your pic I now have a few more questions. What gauges are you using in that cluster (type not style) and what is that connection block on the right hand side?

The cluster thing is actually the control box for my prundle.

I donno what you mean about type-vs-style... maybe which gauges, like fuel, temperature, volt, whatever? ... all is likely answered in my build thread, starting around post 327

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209791&page=33

-- A

 

[dyeager535]

I've got some part numbers/pics on my thread that might help depending on what connectors you want to use: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304941&highlight=hard

Stock gauges, but the idea is the same in regards to connectors, etc. Mine is far more complex than what you will likely deal with.

 

[scottystills]

This is how I did mine, daisy chained the powers and lights just for simplicity sake so it goes to a single power and ground. After this pic I did the sender cables just with butt connectors as well, wish I'd found a connector like at the top of the thread though!



This is with AutoMeters.

 

[45acpJr]

Thanks for the help