Ive got a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT and ive had a set of the glo flame gauges off of ebay in my truck for about two years. Currently I have my dash apart for smooting and painting and was noticing when I have my lights on the headlight switch gets very hot. As everyone is aware im sure, the glo flame gauges have a converter box with the positive and negative wires for power. I have the gauges wired into my headlight switch so they will come on when I turn the switch. My question is: Is there a way I can wire the positive and negative wires into a relay on my headlights so when they (the headlights) come on, the gauges will come on as well. Instead of having them wired directly to the headlight switch. I am doing this because I believe the glo flame gauges are overloading the stock switch and do not want to cause a fire. Any help will be appreciated.
Brandon
Take the wire that is now connected to the headlight switch, and connect it to terminal 86 of a relay. Ground terminal 85 of the relay. Connect the red wire of the gauge light to terminal 87 of the relay. Connect terminal 30 of the relay to a wire that is run to your battery. Install a fuse holder with a 5 amp fuse at the battery. Ground the black wire of the gauge light.
When you say "Take the wire that is now connected to the headlight switch, and connect it to terminal 86 of a relay".. Which wire is that? The only wires actually wired into my headlight switch is the 12 volt positive and the ground. Could I possibly tap into one of the headlight wires and wire it to 86 for the signal to turn the gauges on?
Yes you can use the headlight wire to trigger the relay, but they will not light when parking lights only are turned on. If they are coming on with parking lights now, I would use the present connection to activate the relay.
Thank you for you insight. It has been very helpful.