Installing Gauges on the Dimmer Switch
 

I got the gauges all installed onto the pillar and wires ran, now i just have to figure out how to wire them to come on.. There are 3 wires, a ground, a power wire and i guess the other is a dimmer switch wire, WHERE IS THE H3!! do i hook these things up???? i have tore apart my dash a couple times, trying to find the right wires to tap into, I dont really want to go splicing into wires, so if there is a way to do it, please LMK and explain. The wires coming off the gauges aren't very long, so i assume they have to go somewhere in the dash.. Any help would be AWESOME!!! Thanks guys:w2::choochoo:

Power should be switched power so it is on when you turn on the truck. Easiest is to use a fuse tap in the fuse box. Ground, find good metal and attach it. Dimmer, go for the light in the ashtray and use a posi-tap on the ashtray light. Viola - you are wired and ready to go.

SeaDrive has it right. However I used a painless wiring kit as I have so many accessories hooked up these days ( PAINLESS WIRING KIT - 4 HOT/3 CONSTANT (20 AMP)-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage ). Also, I went off the cigarette lighter for the lights to the gauges, but the ashtray would work just as well. You could also go off the fuse box for it as well with a fuse tap ( I just try t avoid them as much as possible).
mishkaya

Ok, ya getting switched power isnt hard, just find a fuse that has power when key is on and find one that doesnt when key is off.... But i cant say that i have a light in my ashtray.... If mine does, then it is burnt out... But if it does, how do i tap into it? and what is a posi-tap?

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nope i just looked, i dont have a ashtray light

Easiest route then is to go for the headlight switch and measure voltage on the wires until you find the one that controls the dash lights. That way the gauge lights only come on when the dash lights do, and dim with them if you prefer to dim them.

Posi-tap - check this out:
http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html

Available at most autoparts stores. A better way to tap a wire than a scotch lock which almost always fail (eventually)

Them things are pretty cool looking... On the phone with O, O, O, O'Reily's now seeing if they have any Posi-Locks!!! Thanks!!! youve been alot of help:pals::c:

if you are looking for switched power, unused fuse location # 37 is switched power, dimmer sounds ike an easy grab from ashtray light as said above.

I dont have an ashtray light

I can't tell from your sig pic, but I just tapped into the marker lights on the roof. That way the gauges light up when I turn on the lights. It's not that far to tap into. I removed one of the marker lights, shoved the wire under the roof upholstery until I could grab it in the marker light hole and wired it into the hot wire. It doesnt dim, but it works just fine.

I just tapped into the dimmer right onto the switch assembly. For power I tapped into the aux. power outlet... Done :c:

I found one of those Posi-Taps Seadriver was talking about, and tapped into the dimmer switch and then for power tapped into the cig lighter.. Them little tappers are pretty neat!! :U:

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Nice! They look bright as hell!

You arent kidding... Even with the dimmer all the way down, they are still bright, i might have to find a dimmer switch, stick it under the dash and just hook the gauges to it, they are dam bright.. Still look bad arse!!

They are bright for sure and the dash panel dimmer will not work to dim them properly. Auto Meter has a special dimmer switch for those LED gauges and I think they are around $30 if I remember correctly.

My Cobalts drive me nuts at night because they are so bright. I just have not taken the time to install the dimmer yet.

If you want to get one let me know.:U::U:

I'm probably going to get one from ya.. They are way too bright IMO