Really noobie question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

just2asian · 03-17-2005, 05:28 PM

alright everyone, this is a really noobie question and I'll probably get flamed for this one. Just bought a autometer volt gauge to keep an eye on my batteries juice. I just run a power wire and a ground to the battery, and then tap another wire into the headlights so that it comes on with themright? Thanks.

88 LE · 03-17-2005, 05:36 PM

Power: Ignition (switched +12V)

Ground: Self explanatory

Illumination: Tap into the parking light wire. Its a green wire on one of the plugs behind the gauge cluster.

Hell you can grab all 3 of those wires from the wiring harness going to the stereo/head unit.

If you hook it up like you said, the gauge will stay on all the time.

JetspeedCamry · 03-17-2005, 05:38 PM

Depends on the guage really.
If you have it directly connected to your battery..itll be on all the time.
If the guage has a remote wire, that should be connected to the ignition.
The illumination should be connected to your vehicle parking switch.
If the guage doesnt have a remote wire, connecting the power wire to you accessory circuit is probobly a bad idea as that circuit is under a different load.
To be real fussy, i'd use a relay that is triggered by the ignition +12V which switches the main power from the battery.

88 LE · 03-17-2005, 05:55 PM

^ A gauge doesn't draw a lot of current. Its just a display with a few leds.

Using a relay is unnecessary and just creates extra wiring. I could see if you were powering a bunch of stuff off a single low current source.

Besides if hes asking how to hookup a few wires on a gauge. You think he knows how to properly hookup a relay?

Theres no need to make it more complicated then it is. Its not rocket science.

97camryman · 03-17-2005, 06:25 PM

I connected mine in parallel with the cigarette lighter that is only on with the ignition. Positive to positive ground to ground.

JetspeedCamry · 03-17-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 LE

^ A gauge doesn't draw a lot of current. Its just a display with a few leds.

Using a relay is unnecessary and just creates extra wiring. I could see if you were powering a bunch of stuff off a single low current source.

Besides if hes asking how to hookup a few wires on a gauge. You think he knows how to properly hookup a relay?

Theres no need to make it more complicated then it is. Its not rocket science.

Sorry.

just2asian · 03-17-2005, 07:11 PM

thanx a bunch guys

Anshu · 03-21-2005, 10:58 PM

for the illumination, would it be best to tap into the dimmer wire for the oem sterero(i have an aftermarket and would think that it should be unused)