DeepSeaSnake

I think I may have a solution but wanted to make sure I was right by bouncing it off you guys first.

I've got 2 mechanical gauges that need light, I had them both tapped into the red wire that goes to the fader switch that controls the brightness of the dash lights so that they would turn on with the headlights like the rest of the stock lights. However now it all comes on but there is not enough power to run both the dash and the aftermarket gauges. When the headlights are turned on either the dash lights up or the aftermarket gauges light up via that fader switch but never both.

I figure I could run a relay off of that same wire as long as it did not require much power. I'm really new to this whole "electricity" thing so I'm just wondering if that is a good fix or if there is a better one?


edit: by the way if it matters my truck is an 85 std cab 22r

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

The problem with after market gauges is they have one light wire and the other side of the light is connected to the case of the gauge for ground. The stock dash lights are a floating ground, that is all the lights are connected together via the dimmer rheostat and that is the ground path. For a mechanical gauge, if you may be able to isolate the metal case and use that for the second light wire. If so, wire the light wire to the common positive connection for the dash lights and the case to the common ground/dimmer connection for the dash light. Otherwise, just tap into something like the parking light circuit and have the gauge lights powered that way. If needed, add an in-line resistor to dim them if too bright.