VDO Voltmeter + Clock

[west2.1]

Hi,

I want to add the above to my std VDO gauges. How do link them into my existing wiring, for both their power and illumination. Sorry, bit thick when it comes to the electrics!!

Any help/wiring diagrams much appreciated! (have done a search without much success)

[geofff]

Hi west2.1,

This could be the blind leading the blind but here goes.......

I think the wire colour for illuminating dials is red - you can check this easily by looking at the back of your dials. It'll be the same colour going into the middle of the dial and you'll see the bulb rear end on some. Simply spur off (in parallel not series) from the closest existing guage into your two new ones.

Power will depend on when you want them to come on. I would have thought volts would have been placed across battery via ignition switch. Whereas clock would have been permanent feed.

I'm not 100% on electrics myself and my explanation may not be brilliantly illuminating so you might like to wait for a few more responses.

Ta

Geoff

[steppenwolf]

I have done this myself and can confirm that the outline above is correct although I cannot confirm ( without looking! ) that the wire colour for illuminating dials is red. You should find an accessory plug behind the dash where you can take both permanent live and switched 12v feeds from.

[west2.1]

hi, thanks guys,

Steppenwolf, please help to confirm the following,

am I right in thinking that the clock is powered thru the "acc"  terminal on the  ignition switch, so that it is "always on," like a car radio is wired?(permanent live?)

The voltmeter should be live only when the other gauges are, ie on the terminal on the ignition which is first turn position of ignition key?(switched live?)

And finally, I can piggyback feed and earth wires for the clock and voltmeter bulbs from from another gauge?

Thanks again for your help...

 

west2.1 (Paul)

[steppenwolf]

Paul,

The illumination can indeed be 'piggybacked' from the lamp connections of another gauge.

The Voltmeter can indeed be connected to the terminal on the ignition switch at the first turn position of the ignition key BUT this IS the Acc terminal - switched live. A car radio should not be connected to a permanent live as leaving it on would drain the battery down even with the ignition key removed.

The Clock needs to be connected to a permanent live - for example, the brown lead going to the ignition switch or a separate cable to the positive terminal of the battery.

[blankczechbook]

The Clock needs to be connected to a permanent live - for example, the brown lead going to the ignition switch or a separate cable to the positive terminal of the battery.

and just to be safe if you do wire directly to the battery then a cheap inline fuse is v.handy - closer to the battery so there is less chance of a shortcircuit if the worst happens....

just a little bit of extra safety - anything wired direct to battery should be fused.

[west2.1]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will have a go at wiring up this weekend,  

Paul.

[steppenwolf]

and just to be safe if you do wire directly to the battery then a cheap inline fuse is v.handy - closer to the battery so there is less chance of a shortcircuit if the worst happens....

Good point, I really should spell out all the details with this sort of thing and not make any assumptions!

[chappers]

I thought dial illumination was red with an orange tracer from memory.