Gauge Instalation question

[bobiseverywhere]

I just got the HKS DB Meter RS Gauge with the I/F unit

They want you to have one line going to a constant 12V and one to the Ignition? and another to Ilumination.

They don't really say what they mean by the last one. Does nayone have an idea?

Also i am curious where people hook in for there constant 12V.

And the Ignition. I am not that great at figuring out wiring. Are they talking about the Wire from the Key where you also hook up your turbo timer?

Any help with this would be great.

I am not the most proficent with wiring

 

[aye mate]

For illumination I would use the wire for the cigarette lighter since it's connected to the dimmer switch too. For a constant 12v, I'm not sure if that wire would work or not.

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

I believe the cig lighter light only comes on when the "aprking lights" are on. But then again the guage wouldnt need to be illuminated till its dark anywho.

 

[bobiseverywhere]

Well thats the odd part.

The Gauge has it's own Dimmer. So you can adjust the gauge seperatly from your own dimmer

Is it so that the Comp for the Gauges knows when your dimmer is on and how strong it is?

that would make the most sense to me. But i am still unsure

The constant 12V and the Ignition?

I think i remember hearing somewhere that one of the lines to the Cig lighter is a Constant 12V

but this ignition thing and illumination has me stumpped

 

[bobiseverywhere]

any mor einsight on this would be great help

 

[97TSiAWD]

12V Constant: Powered at all times, whether or not the key is in. I haven't had to use this for any gauges/tuning devices, but I'm sure you can tap into a wire at the headlight switch or ignition switch.

12V Ignition: Powered when the ignition is on (car running, or key in on position). I used a wire powering the rear defrost switch, since it is easily accessible and close to the A-pillar where my gauges are. You can also found a source at the cigarette lighter or the ECU, depending on where in the car you are mounting the gauges.

12V Illumination: Powered when the headlights are on. I used a wire on the back of the dimmer switch to light my gauges. This source doesn't change brightness levels with the dimmer switch since I didn't want it to. The source at the cigarette lighter will also work.

Unfortunately, I can't tell you the exact wires for each off the top of my head. The defrost and dimmer switches don't have too many wires going to them, so I just tested each one out with a voltmeter (a must-have for electrical work) to find what I was looking for.

Good luck.

 

[HIDPLANET]

THe above is 100% correct.
To test for which wires will work, just use a volt meter or test light or test probe to find them. They can all be found on the drivers side by the steering column.

 

[Jaguar_5]

If i had to take a guess on the Dimmer, I'd say the gauge can either use the stock dim settings, or you can override it and set your own.

My head unit has brightness settings, and factory dimmer settings

 

[bobiseverywhere]

Thank you for the help everyone and

Especialy 97TSiAWD : That was some ver dexcriptive and helpful advice

So i guess i should have everything back in the car before i try and install the guage LOL

Doing a swap right now

 

[bobiseverywhere]

heres a quick shot of the gauges