gauge lights

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=25489
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 10:23 PM

Topic: gauge lights

Posted By: Liberty03
Subject: gauge lights
Date Posted: January 29, 2004 at 11:50 AM

I am adding two gauges in my jeep and need to have them illuminate when the lights are on. They are auto meter gauges and I have +12v power wire run, but was wondering if I should use the parking light wire for the turn on signal for the relay, or if I could get that signal from the dimmer wire going into my head unit? I want to use a relay to turn the bulbs for the gauges on and off so there isn't any extra pull on the headlight wiring/switches and for future expansion of other gauges/stuff. This is for an '03 Liberty. The wire for the head unit is extremely easy to get to, that is why I was wondering if I could use it. Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: mobiletoys2002
Date Posted: January 29, 2004 at 1:03 PM

you can use the dimmer wire from the radio to trigge rthe relay but if you have the dimmer turned down the relay will never click on so u would have to keep the dimmer turned up at all times for it to work.

Posted By: mobiletoys2002
Date Posted: January 29, 2004 at 1:07 PM

i think i would rather go to a + parking light wire in this car and use that to turn your relay on.The parking lights in this car are multiplexed so take a wire directly to the positive parking light wire and use that to trigger relay!!

Posted By: Liberty03
Date Posted: January 29, 2004 at 2:11 PM

Thanks! I will take a look at the + wire going into the front drivers parking light.

Posted By: Remotep
Date Posted: January 29, 2004 at 4:38 PM

You don't need a relay. The light bulbs don't draw enough power to be concerned about. hook it directly to the dimmer circuit.

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Remotep
Street Rod Enthusiast
and Installer