a little help with wiring up a water temperature gauge, please :)

[aadress]

for many reasons, I was forced to get an aftermarket water temp. gauge, and got an autogauge silver series one. my main problem is about getting the + from the ignition lock so that the gauge would only work and take electricity when I actually use the car. I'd like some help with where exactly to put the + wire in there, so that it's done right, I ''achieve my goal'' and I won't burn anything down :D I'm not a complete noob with electricts (not a pro either) but I'd just like some help with that. if you'd reccommend taking the + from somewhere else (cigarette lighter or sth), do tell, I just thought of the ignition lock first.
thanks in advance!
P.S: sorry, if some of my text is difficult to understand - English isn't really my first language :/

[ak-]

I used the cigarette lighter and window kill-switch as well for others.
And I'm a complete noob with electrics.

Get a test light pen (not sure if that's what it's called) to help you.

[aadress]

doesn't the cigarette lighter have 12v in it at all times? that's what my friend told me, anyway. he also suggested taking the + from the lights switch, but I don't really like the idea of having to have the lights on to know what temperature the water is -.-

[Gregs///M]

The thick green wire from the ignition switch harness would be the best place to wire that gauge.

[aadress]

right near the ignition lock there's a green-purple and a green-yellow wire, and then further down the steering column, there is a green wire that's notably thicker than the others. is that the one you meant? where does it go to and what does it power?

[Gregs///M]

its the ignition wire, switched power with key