ignition-hot source for gauges
 

Alright I ordered a few gauges finally and am kinda looking around to make sure I know how to install them before i get them ::) Everything looks easy enough, but where is the best place to tap into to give the gauges power with ignition, as well as to get power for the lighting. On my Furd there was a few unused spots in the fuse block that worked for the ignition, but it doesn't look like there will be on the Dodge. Is there an easy way that I'm missing? Thanks in advance.

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

Tap the #5 for lights (dims with interior) and you can tap the fuse for the radio (ignition hot, can't think of the #) and there are a few others... (can't think of the #'s off hand!). Or you can do like some, and get the Painless wiring kit from Genos garage! Has 4 ignition hot and 3 constant hot! ;D I think they have some other combos of those now as well!<br><br>Tony

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

I've been thinking about the painless wiring kit as well, just haven't made up my mind.

What's the easiest way to tap the fuses? I've seen the fuse taps for &quot;normal&quot; sized fuses but haven't found any for the smaller one our trucks have.

Thanks for the help!

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

[quote author=TX Ram link=board=5;threadid=9145;start=0#87869 date=1041613803]<br>I've been thinking about the painless wiring kit as well, just haven't made up my mind. <br><br>What's the easiest way to tap the fuses? I've seen the fuse taps for &quot;normal&quot; sized fuses but haven't found any for the smaller one our trucks have. <br><br>Thanks for the help!<br>[/quote]<br><br>I used some snips and just made the fuse tap a bit smaller to fit... ;D The painless wiring is great, but I have that full, and still have some things tapped in the old fuse box as well! [laugh]

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

Radio Shack sells fuse taps for the blade type fuses in our trucks.<br><br>The Painless Wiring kits are way 8) though!<br><br>Tom

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

When you use the fuse-taps, make sure your accessory is on the &quot;load&quot; and not the &quot;supply&quot; side of the fuse.<br>Otherwise a short in your accessory may fry your harness, 'cuz the fuse won't blow. ;)

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

[quote author=Shovelhead link=board=5;threadid=9145;start=0#87900 date=1041619770]
When you use the fuse-taps, make sure your accessory is on the &quot;load&quot; and not the &quot;supply&quot; side of the fuse.
[/quote]

I hate to sound stupid, but what exactly do you mean by that? Sorry but i'm not really an electrical wizard [eyecrazy] Not that i've never done this type of thing before, just never used the fuse taps.

Thanks again for the help guys, I appreciate it.

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

A fuse a a bridge between the two points.
A 12V positive connection, and the &quot;load&quot;/accessory you are trying to power.
If you connect the accessory to the 12V positive side of the fuse and have a short in the accessory, you have effectivly wired the accessory straight to power and the fuse will not blow.
All you need is a cheap 12V test light to see which of the fuse contacts is the supply side.
Or use an inline fuse to the accessory. ;)

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

Ahhh, gotcha.

Thanks ;D

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

I just hooked mine up a few days ago and I removed the lower cover below the steering wheel which gives you access to the back of the fuse box and I used wire taps to hook them up. I would not use the radio hot wire reason why is sometimes hooking on this wire you may get a buzz in your radio not all times but you never know it is better to use some of the other key hot acc. Matt

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

My truck has two ligher plugs, one on the ignition and one always hot. Would be an easy place to grab power. I generally mount a power strip, homemade, somewhere under the dash with the three sources, ign, hot, and lights.

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

Just go to your local parts house and have them order the Little Fuse Mini Add A Circuit Kit<br><br>PN # OFHM0200ZP<br><br>I use them all the time and they work great eliminates screw ups and fried harnesses. ;)

Re:ignition-hot source for gauges
 

If you're planning on adding accessories, DIRTFT.*

Painless wiring systems are cheap insurance, easy to install, and give you additional power sources without splicing and adding load to the existing wiring.

Painless Wiring 7+3



* Do It Right The First Time ;)