Trying to finish off my guage install, well at least get the lights up & running and the trans temp finished. the auto meter install instructions indicate I need a 4 amp fuse on the trans guage only, what about the others?

I'm thinking i'm going to hook up the gnd on them and put an ammeter on it to find out what the draw is when the dash lights are on but I suspect its low. anyone done this already?

 

I just hooked mine into the dash light circuit, so they dim or brighten with the dash lights.

 

Hey Steve05.... I originally had wired up all 4 of my Autometer Cobalts to my dash light circuit. It melted my headlight switch in about 20 minutes where I was smelling plastic. This was even AFTER I had relayed my headlamps. So the actual draw of the dash lights seem to exceed the switches rating.


I asked Autometer about this and they suggested the use of a 10k resistor for reducing the brightness. That was based on them being wired to a constant 12 volt source. Our meters use LED backlighting. You can reduce the brightness of a diode by lowering the voltage, but they have to draw MORE amperage to illuminate. It puts the dash light circuit past its rated capacity. That's why I use a 12 volt source and dim the gauges individually.



I decided to disable my cig lighter, and used that circuit to feed my gauges. I don't smoke, and I have a triple tap down below the dash. I don't miss it...lol.



Btw..my gauge is the 6157. Which gauge are you using?


Just my 2 cents is all.


Adios.



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cool, thanks for the heads up on the melted switch.

I'm using the phantom II short sweep tranny guage. Looks like I'll toss in a resistor and see how it looks/does. my original thought was to tie it into the dimmer switch but was concerned about the current draw. fortunatly I have an led mod sitting in the truck that's got a resistor I can experiment with before deciding on the final wiring.

Thanks!

 

The 7549? I was watching the video on it. Cool gauge. Looks good at night.


And remember Steve, per Autometer:



"If mounting in a steel pan, model 2260 BUNG in the accessory section is recommended". LOL...l



Is this where the term "bung hole" was originated?


Is this the almighty Bungholio?









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Adios Muchachos....

 

MAN every time I see those gauges it makes me want them more and more. They are SWEET !!

Are those the dimmer ***** that you mounted right on the front?

How come it looks like two of the gauges aren't working ( boost and trans ) ?

 

ahahahaha... (bung)... I have the port already in the tranny pan. just had to screw it in.

Well, after running around looking for the right stuff not inmy garage, I managed to get part of the wiring done. I put the wiring harness on the guage side and have it set so all I have to do is find the right wires to connect to for the dimmer/running lights and the guages will be lit. I'm gonna try to ID the wire and see f I can continue working on it at lunch tomorrow. we have tons of resistors so I'll pick one that is gonna take some of the current draw out of the guages.

 

That's their resting position, Mayfair. They go thru a self test when you turn the key on. The truck was not running. They make cool noises when you power them up too!


And each one does have a seperate dimmer. Sometimes during highway driving, I don't want them visible at all so I dial them down.


I get freaky for bells and whistles..........lol.


Adios my friend.