Possible to splice a voltage gauge to pre-existing voltage gauge in dash?

[VLC86]

Hey guys.

So I have a set of speco voltage and ngine temperature gauges on their way to me. But the issue is that they have no wiring or senders. I just wanted to

I have a calais so the dash already has the voltage and temperature dials built in, so is it possible to splice them in somewhere to these pre-existing dials to make them work?

I dont actually have the gauges just yet, they are arriving soon.

Just wondering if it is possible.

thanks

 

[andrew_oc42]

depends how the calibration of the gauges are to the senders.
you can splice, although it may not read accurate..
did this on a vs calais once.. well the temp gauge.. it was about 8degrees *give or take* out, that was splicing into the original, having them both operational.
depends how exact you want to be! a few degrees isn't really an issue, although when your talking a few more then a few.. you know!

 

[VLC86]

depends how the calibration of the gauges are to the senders.
you can splice, although it may not read accurate..
did this on a vs calais once.. well the temp gauge.. it was about 8degrees *give or take* out, that was splicing into the original, having them both operational.
depends how exact you want to be! a few degrees isn't really an issue, although when your talking a few more then a few.. you know!

Yeah thats true.Well i am getting a bonus temp gauge with it. so that one is just for looks really, i wont mind if its out a few degrees.
But i'd like to make the voltage gauge be as accurate as possible. Any way to decrease the error margin when splicing it?

 

[andrew_oc42]

Well depends how you want to go about it!

Volt gauge is simple! It can be wired to basically any ignition wire or accessory... I'd use the cigarette lighter preferably.. nice and simple! Splice, soldier, heatshrink! You're done..


Regarding temp:
I'm no huge fan of gauges! Although, you could always splice into the wiring of the coolant temp sensor... which from memory on the rb30 is the yellow plug near the intake manifold / top of the radiator.
I'm pretty certain this isn't where the stock temp gauge gets it's reading from though.. don't quote me!!

I'm sure somebody else with knowledge of this will point you in the right direction!

 

[VLC86]

Yes voltage gauge should be quite easy. I already have quite a bit of interior lights running off the cigarette lighter power. Would this alter the reading of the gauge?
Should it be wired to somewhere that doesnt have quite so much power draw?

Ill do some research for the sender of the stock temp gauge.

thanks heaps buddy

 

[andrew_oc42]

Why are you running interior lights off the cigarette lighter power? Why don't you run them off the inst.allum fuse? Would make sense!
Just find another wire then, ignition wire works also! Aslong as there isn't too much drawing off the line, it should be fine!
no worries!

 

[VLC86]

cig power wire is such an easy point to run it off. just grouped them into one wire and soldered it onto the cig lighter power.

Which one is the ignition wire? The gauge will be mounted on the drivers side dash speaker vent. so ignition would be easier.

whats the inst.allum fuse by the way?

 

[andrew_oc42]

as in the fuse that runs the interior lights when you open your doors and such.. the cig lighter is an easy point to run off, although not my preferred option! can cause problems more then not.
the ignition wire runs from the ignition switch to the ignition?! i *think* it's pink / black.. just double check that with a manual or search online though.. even light probe it?
don't #### it! tis a very important wire!

 

[VLC86]

yeah i am hesitant to play around with things like that. As my work usually requires me having to go back and re-check everything to make it perfect. Where is the easiest point to access the power for the interior lights so that the footwell lights will come on when i open the door? I currently have them running off a switch so I can choose when to have them on/off.

Where would you recommend as the safest/best point to wire up the voltage gauge?