Gauge Lighting/Power to Switch (electrical) - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

xs420240sx · 12-23-2013, 03:40 AM

need some electrical advice. what would be the best way to wire a set of gauge lighting, possibly just the power to the gauges to a switch? I know a fuse would probably be involved and could it be done with a simple SPST switch? flip the switch, all the gauges shut off. hit it again, and they all come back on.

jscherf92 · 01-09-2014, 03:41 PM

Some gauges require constant and ignition power, but an spst switch will work. Some people hate them but the "add-a-fuse" products work well for simple electrical work. If you dont want to crack open the fsm and get to splicing and heat shrinking then hit up a parts store and find the "add-a-fuse" stuff. That will give you a power wire from the fuse box you can run to your switch and then run a wire from the switch to the gauges and of course run a solid ground wire.

There are several options but something like this will work: Cooper Bussmann/ATM fuse tap (BP-HHH-RP) | | AutoZone.com

Edit: If you just want the gauges to come on at night you could tap into the illumination circuit from the dash or possibly the radio, but use a fuse or you risk damaging the radio if something shorts out with the fuses. Its more work but you wouldn't have an extra switch sticking out anywhere.

Mikester · 01-09-2014, 03:57 PM

Run the gauge lighting wires to the illumination wires of the dash or stereo harness. No extra shit needed- easy peasy.

MidwestMyriad · 01-09-2014, 04:08 PM

Like cherf said, ADD-A-FUSE

12-23-2013, 03:40 AM	#1
xs420240sx Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CA Posts: 595 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Gauge Lighting/Power to Switch (electrical) need some electrical advice. what would be the best way to wire a set of gauge lighting, possibly just the power to the gauges to a switch? I know a fuse would probably be involved and could it be done with a simple SPST switch? flip the switch, all the gauges shut off. hit it again, and they all come back on.

01-09-2014, 03:57 PM	#3
Mikester Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kathleen, GA Age: 53 Posts: 1,956 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Run the gauge lighting wires to the illumination wires of the dash or stereo harness. No extra shit needed- easy peasy. __________________

01-09-2014, 04:08 PM	#4
MidwestMyriad Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Traveling through time and space... Posts: 1,387 Trader Rating: (20) Feedback Score: 20 reviews	Like cherf said, ADD-A-FUSE __________________ @MMyriad

01-09-2014, 03:41 PM	#2
jscherf92 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 33 Posts: 433 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Some gauges require constant and ignition power, but an spst switch will work. Some people hate them but the "add-a-fuse" products work well for simple electrical work. If you dont want to crack open the fsm and get to splicing and heat shrinking then hit up a parts store and find the "add-a-fuse" stuff. That will give you a power wire from the fuse box you can run to your switch and then run a wire from the switch to the gauges and of course run a solid ground wire. There are several options but something like this will work: Cooper Bussmann/ATM fuse tap (BP-HHH-RP) \| \| AutoZone.com Edit: If you just want the gauges to come on at night you could tap into the illumination circuit from the dash or possibly the radio, but use a fuse or you risk damaging the radio if something shorts out with the fuses. Its more work but you wouldn't have an extra switch sticking out anywhere.