Where to tap power for gauges?

[BlackSpeed66]

Hello folks,

As I've become the owner of a well cared-for e30 I've purchased a set of VDO Vison series gauges to install (ashtray mount). I've got an Oil Temp and Oil Pressure gauge and am curious as to a proper (read: safe) location to tap in to a factory power source? The wiring for the backlighting is obvious, as is the gauge ground and sender wiring but I don't want to just hack in to any old 12V source for the third connection. Do these cars have any sort of "accessory" power block on or near the fuse box or any free slots available to install these types of options that is switched by the ignition? I have plenty of experience doing electronic repair on cars ('86 Audi, '66 Chrysler) but I want to make sure getting power from the right place. And, as a newb to this site - I did use the search function and did not glean much useful information on this subject.

Thanks for the help!

-Gene

[lordofthewaters]

You're doing away with the lighter for the gauge pod. Why not just use the lighter connections which are already right there where you need them?

[Erick]

I used the headlight switch for mine.

[LovableSheep]

The little black box next to the fuse box is the accessory power block.

But it might be easier to use something like what other people have suggested since then you don't have to run wires through the firewall.

[BlackSpeed66]

I had thought about the lighter socket but it looks like it has constant power, which I really don't need for the gauges.

I'll have to run the sending unit wires through the firewall anyway, so running another wire for power won't be a big deal.

Which reminds me - where is a good place to pass through the firewall? What spot do you guys running extra gauges use?

Thanks again!

-Gene

[StereoInstaller1]

Gene, if you look at the firewall grommet near the front battery location you will see some tiny little nipples on it. Cut one off and you have an excellent place to run wires.

Me, being the smartass that I am, I prefer to run the wires into the fusebox, through the evil rubber boot coming off the bottom of the fusebox.

[lordofthewaters]

Look above the dead pedal. There is a rubber grommet there. Just poke it out to the size you need. You just wiring for lights? Or are you going to use electric gauges? If just the lights you can use just the wiring for the ashtray/cig lighter light.

[BlackSpeed66]

Thanks for the tips guys. They are electric gauges, so I figure I can tap into the old ashtray light for the gauge illumination - and the ground is easy. Then all I have to do is get the sender wiring through the firewall along with the switched 12v power from a to-be-determined location and I should be all set. I purchased the ashtray gauge housing from parkerperformance.com and that one comes with a cig lighter which I do use occasionally. Good times:D

[lordofthewaters]

Hmmmm Mine deleted the ashtray and the lighter. Mechanical gauges though.

[BlackSpeed66]

I thought about using mechanical gauges but I had a bad experience with an oil pressure gauge in my '73 Dart several years back. Let's just say things got messy...

[lordofthewaters]

That's why I don't use the nylon tubing. I use copper.