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b16 mini

b16 mini

Ek9 obsession
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Mar 10, 2008
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3,206
Car(s)
1997 Ek9,1996 ek4 siR, 1972 b18c4 mini
i'm planning to wire my gauges in soon, but I want the gauges to stay on whilst cranking(starting)

I know a lot of people just hook up to the stereo feed but as far as I remember the stereo feed is not live when cranking,

Has anyone got any suggestions to save me some time testing things or running new wires?
Cheers
 
one of the wires from the ignition I suppose? Probably the yellow one but don't take my word for it.
I use mechanical for pressure so I don't have this issue.
 
Hook it up to the back of the ignition barrel you mean?
I did think about doing that and using a relay for piece of mind, that would be the best or safest way I would assume.

I think @pdapaul is a auto electrician?
 
Give over I'm blushing :p
These are the feeds coming into the barrel, but if I remember the easier place is a brown plug normally located on top of the interior fuse box. Easier to get to. I'm sure black yellow would be your favourite for a +15(live while crank)
Any questions just let me know

White is 12V+ input,
Black/white is starter,
Black/yellow is ign. 1,
White/black is ign. 2,
Yellow is acc.,
 
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Thanks Paul, will take a look for the brown plug, the dash is in bits still anyway so it's all fairly easy to get at.

So would it be good practice to use a relay as a precaution? And what amp fuse should I use?

It's quite an expensive SPA gauge I don't want to risk damaging it
 
Normally gauges use surprisingly little power, so on mine for example (depo) they only come with a 2 amp fuse each. I would check the instructions to see if they indicate what amperage fuse to use, if not then I would use between a 3-5amp. If you have a multimeter then very easy to test the current draw.
We only install relays if the current draw of the wired accessories exceeds the capability of the wire we are attaching to. Then we would use the ign wire to trigger a relay to a larger,prob permanent feed. In your instance the ignition wires are more than capable of coping with your demands so should be fine.
Are we talking usual 3 dial configuration?
 
Thanks again for explaining that,

Ok so hooking them up to the brown plug/black yellow it is then,

Yeah they are standard gauges,
Spa digital duel oil temp/pressure and a basic electric water temp

 
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