Post by worlddomination on Feb 28, 2008 13:17:33 GMT -5
i'm getting ready to install the tach/speedo thing. i have installed tachs before---after watching someone, but it was sloppy and probably not done right. In fact, the last gauge i installed--a voltmeter on another car, i would actually unplug it from the fuse box everytime i parked because i was afraid of a possible fire.
So this time, the goals are:
1) To install it right---no hack jobs, no sloppy work. Make it look as close as possible to a factory installation.
2) Safety. We don't want to damage the truck's other wiring or possibly start a fire.
The other thing is, i know next to jack about electricity so if you'll please dumb it down for me---as in real dumb. Pretend that i'm 5 yrs old or something, and you have to explain to me how to fix my truck. Thanks.
The truck is an 83 C-10 and the photos below are the actual fuse box.
So let's say i plug a blade-type connector into the "a" jacks for 12V power only when the key is on:
a) Are these "a" terminals fused? If not, can i put an inline fuse after the terminal and before the tach, say 2amps or 5 amps and it will be ok?
b) i would actually prefer to tap into a pre-existing 12V key on only wire because i think i can get a cleaner installation that way using one of these: www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html
Is there a way to find out which wire goes to which circuit or would i need a service manual or a heims?
If not, i would be willing to settle with using a terminal on the fuse box; i think i can make a decent connection with the wire and the blade type terminal connector by using heat shrink wrap after crimping the terminal down.
c) i will need a source to dim the gauge at night (i'm planning on using a digital tach). So, in other words, whenever the lights are turned on. Is "b" the right terminal. The lettering has rubbed off.
d) ground should not be a problem as there are plenty of screws at the bottom of the dash. However, do you know where the factory grounded the gauges?
e) As far as plugging into the "tach" terminal in the HEI cap, i think i can handle that; i know jegs/summit sell a lead and connector that plugs right in for about $6 and i can just make a posilock connection from the wire to the plug lead.
So this time, the goals are:
1) To install it right---no hack jobs, no sloppy work. Make it look as close as possible to a factory installation.
2) Safety. We don't want to damage the truck's other wiring or possibly start a fire.
The other thing is, i know next to jack about electricity so if you'll please dumb it down for me---as in real dumb. Pretend that i'm 5 yrs old or something, and you have to explain to me how to fix my truck. Thanks.
The truck is an 83 C-10 and the photos below are the actual fuse box.
So let's say i plug a blade-type connector into the "a" jacks for 12V power only when the key is on:
a) Are these "a" terminals fused? If not, can i put an inline fuse after the terminal and before the tach, say 2amps or 5 amps and it will be ok?
b) i would actually prefer to tap into a pre-existing 12V key on only wire because i think i can get a cleaner installation that way using one of these: www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html
Is there a way to find out which wire goes to which circuit or would i need a service manual or a heims?
If not, i would be willing to settle with using a terminal on the fuse box; i think i can make a decent connection with the wire and the blade type terminal connector by using heat shrink wrap after crimping the terminal down.
c) i will need a source to dim the gauge at night (i'm planning on using a digital tach). So, in other words, whenever the lights are turned on. Is "b" the right terminal. The lettering has rubbed off.
d) ground should not be a problem as there are plenty of screws at the bottom of the dash. However, do you know where the factory grounded the gauges?
e) As far as plugging into the "tach" terminal in the HEI cap, i think i can handle that; i know jegs/summit sell a lead and connector that plugs right in for about $6 and i can just make a posilock connection from the wire to the plug lead.
Wire maybe?
