wiring question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greasemonkey · 04-01-2004, 12:53 AM

Maybe a stupid question, but electrical stuff isn't my strong point.
IF I was to get a set of Autometers, there aren't enough terminals to plug them all in separately on the fuse box (obviously). So could I combine say three gauges' power wires into one bigger wire to plug into the fuse box? The gauges have 18 gauge power wires. What gauge wire would I use to run to the fuse box? I know it is always better to use more than you need, but how much is overkill?
I hope that made sense, it did to me anyway.
Thanks, John

jhow66 · 04-01-2004, 02:47 AM

Are talking about the light wires? If so just tie all three wires into one wire (16 gauge ok) and tie it into the gray wire off light switch. This way the gauges will dim up and down with your other lights.

greasemonkey · 04-01-2004, 02:49 PM

Well, that was my second question, thanks for clearing that up.
I was talking about the wires that you run to the fuse box to get power to the gauges (I believe they go to the IGN UNFUSED?). I am guessing that it is the same as the light wires, and I can just tie three wires into one larger gauge wire. I just didn't know what gauge wire to use.

Mudder · 04-01-2004, 03:55 PM

One of the terminals on the fuse block will work your lights (dims). The other will turn everything off with the key (ign).

67chevemall · 04-01-2004, 04:04 PM

I put my three into one and used the Radio plug in on the fuse box!

Cheers

jhow66 · 04-01-2004, 06:20 PM

Which gauges do you have? If you run them off the gray wire from light switch they work only when you have your parking or headlights on.

67chevemall · 04-01-2004, 06:34 PM

No most gauges have the lights seperate from the power!
Usally Red Black and yellow!
Yellow would go to the grey wire for the lights and the red one goes to the "radio"slot on the fuse box! Black is grounded on the dash board with the mounting hardware from the gauges!

jhow66 · 04-01-2004, 06:37 PM

What kind of gauges are you running power to?

67chevemall · 04-01-2004, 06:42 PM

Power for Tach ! Lights on Oil Temp Tach

**john** · 04-01-2004, 06:42 PM

I think 16 ga. will work. guages do not pull many amps. John

jhow66 · 04-01-2004, 06:47 PM

Like I said run them off light switch for lights-switched plug on fuse panel for tach.

04-01-2004, 12:53 AM	#1
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	wiring question Maybe a stupid question, but electrical stuff isn't my strong point. IF I was to get a set of Autometers, there aren't enough terminals to plug them all in separately on the fuse box (obviously). So could I combine say three gauges' power wires into one bigger wire to plug into the fuse box? The gauges have 18 gauge power wires. What gauge wire would I use to run to the fuse box? I know it is always better to use more than you need, but how much is overkill? I hope that made sense, it did to me anyway. Thanks, John __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

04-01-2004, 02:47 AM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Are talking about the light wires? If so just tie all three wires into one wire (16 gauge ok) and tie it into the gray wire off light switch. This way the gauges will dim up and down with your other lights. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

04-01-2004, 02:49 PM	#3
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	Well, that was my second question, thanks for clearing that up. I was talking about the wires that you run to the fuse box to get power to the gauges (I believe they go to the IGN UNFUSED?). I am guessing that it is the same as the light wires, and I can just tie three wires into one larger gauge wire. I just didn't know what gauge wire to use. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

04-01-2004, 04:04 PM	#5
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	I put my three into one and used the Radio plug in on the fuse box! Cheers __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

04-01-2004, 06:20 PM	#6
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Which gauges do you have? If you run them off the gray wire from light switch they work only when you have your parking or headlights on. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

04-01-2004, 03:55 PM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	One of the terminals on the fuse block will work your lights (dims). The other will turn everything off with the key (ign).

04-01-2004, 06:34 PM	#7
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	No most gauges have the lights seperate from the power! Usally Red Black and yellow! Yellow would go to the grey wire for the lights and the red one goes to the "radio"slot on the fuse box! Black is grounded on the dash board with the mounting hardware from the gauges! __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

04-01-2004, 06:37 PM	#8
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	What kind of gauges are you running power to? __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

04-01-2004, 06:42 PM	#9
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Power for Tach ! Lights on Oil Temp Tach __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

04-01-2004, 06:42 PM	#10
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	I think 16 ga. will work. guages do not pull many amps. John __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

04-01-2004, 06:47 PM	#11
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Like I said run them off light switch for lights-switched plug on fuse panel for tach. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

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