HELP - Wiring Aftermarket Gauges. What power source?

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adamfeber

adamfeber

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I am working on the car today trying to hook up a tach and oil pressure gauges. I am having on hell of a time finding an ignition on wire that is that is easily accessible to splice into for the power source for the gauges. Recommendations as to what is the best wire to use.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
 
The accesory fuse on your fuse block.

I know someone is going to ask what car you are working on. :)

1974 Duster for example, and I would use #8

#1 - 3 amp
Dashboard lights

#2 - 20 amp
radio
heater blower
backup lamps
turnsignals

#3 - 20 amp
AC compressor clutch
rear window defogger

#4 - 20 amp
AC blower

#5 empty

#6 - 3 amp
seatbelt interlock
gas gauge
oil/brake warning lights

#7 - 20 amp
ignition switch light
cigar lighter
buzzer
hazard blinkers
brake lights
dome light
glove box light
map light
trunk light

#8 - 20 amp
horn
instument cluster
tailights/parking lights/side markers/license plate light

#9 & 10 empty
 
73 dart sport - was thinking the accessory on fuse panel but tried to get fuse panel block down and can't due to limited movement of these old wires. I have two open spots on fuse panel. Is there an output wire to tie into.
 
adamfeber said:
73 dart sport - was thinking the accessory on fuse panel but tried to get fuse panel block down and can't due to limited movement of these old wires. I have two open spots on fuse panel. Is there an output wire to tie into.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about limited movement.
You could tie in at the ignition switch harness plug under the column.
Just find an accesory wire that is hot in both ignition positions, but dead with the key off.

I'll Bet Del (67dart273) could tell you the color of the correct wire.
 
adamfeber said:
If I came off the fuse block, would I need to get that down and tie into the top side of it?
Click to expand...

Thats how I would do it.
When I do something like that I skin a little of the insulation off (1/4 inch) and solder the tie point.

You want to tie in after the fuse and not before it.
That's easy to figure out if you pull the fuse, then tie into the side that does not have power.
 
If you want to tap a wire and install inline fuse holders... You have black and blue wires at the ignition switch harness connector on steering column that are hot at switch on.
 
Alright, I was able to get the fuse block down and tie into it for the main ignition power source. There was a harness that was kind of hidden, holding the fuse box up from coming down.

So now my only need is to tie into the lights for the gauges. What is best in this case - I assume pull the gauge cluster out to easily access the back of the light switch and find a prong to tie into that only has power when the lights are turned on? Or is there a better way?
 
The illumination wires are orange and somewhat abundant. Radios, ash trays, some heater controller, shifters, all have a orange wire going to them. Tie you lighting in at the switch or one of these locations.
 
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