I am in the process of hooking up a few gauges under my dash and was wondering if someone could help me out and recommend a good place to tie the power lines to a ignition or other 12 volt source. The altenator has a blue/white and a heavier gauge red line connected to it. The car is a 69Z28.
Thanks in advance

If you're just hanging some guages, easiest place is the fusebox itself. There are labeled spare terminals, you want "ign" for power. If you can tap into the gray wire in the dash harness (last stop for this wire is the lamp in the heater control) your guage illumination will get bright/dim with the rest of em.

You can use the terminal to the left of the "INST" fuse for illumination, too.

Are you using a volt meter or an amp meter?

Larry

Will the terminal left of the "INST" fuse give you bright/dim functions?

Sure will. The fuse is after the light switch dimmer rheostat.

Larry

Using a volt meter. The instructions said to use a 12v terminal on ignition source or other swtiched source.
Also hooking up an electric fuel pressure gauge. Instructions said to ad fuse and connect to 12v ignition source.
Will the fusebox connection work for these applications. What is the best way to connect to the fusebox terminals.

The spare connections on the fusebox are standard 1/4" male spade connectors. Hardware store female spade crimp connectors will plug right in. 1 power lead will handle all os them including the voltmeter.

Plus, you shouldn't need an extra fuse because the "IGN" terminal is protected by the Turn Signal and Backup lights fuse. But, it's a 20 amp fuse. The instructions for the gauges might require a smaller one. If that's the case, you might want to follow those recommendations.

Guages don't take a lot of power to run. Usually a 10 amp fuse or less is all that's required. If you go too big a fuse, and if there is a short, the small wires to the gauges might burn before the fuse blows.
Larry

Shouldn't he use the "IGN" terminal to power the gauge, and the "INST" terminal for the illumination lights?

Shouldn't he use the "IGN" terminal to power the gauge, and the "INST" terminal for the illumination lights?

X33D80,

Are you refering to my last post? I didn't mean for it sound like that. Yes, the "IGN" is to power the gauges and the "INST" is for the lighting. The small wires I was refering to were the wires to the voltmeter and the fuel pressure gauge.

Larry

69-er;

Thanks for the info. I chimed in because I am currently wiring in gauges in a non-console car. I apologize to SCHOON for hijacking his post, but the conversation has probably been good for the both of us.

Hijacking has never been a problem for me, as long as the conversation stays on the subject. I'm glad it helped you!

Larry

I am glad you did chime in it gave me some more info. Electrical is not my bag. I think the only question I have left to hook up my gauges is where is a really good place to ground them and is it neccessary to solder the connections?

Any screw or hole you can put a screw thru under the dash will provide a good ground. Assuming these will hang from the dash in a bracket, use one of the screws that holds the bracket.
Crimp connectors will work ok. I usually buy uninsulated connectors, or remove the insulator sleeve, crimp them, solder them, and seal the connection with heatshrink tubing.
It's easiest and cleanest to "daisy chain" the wiring, as in: put 2 wires in each ring terminal, one goes in and one goes out to the next guage.

Thanks for all your input it will really help me out with the wiring. As soon as I get around to take some pictures of my 69 I will post them. looked at yours yesterday and you really have a sweet ride.
I just finished putting a ZZ4 385FB Crate Engine in mine. In the process I wound up replacing all of the suspension and exhaust etc. The car is turning into a Street Beast

The terminal next to my "INST" fuse is labeled "LPS", is this the one I use to light my gauges?
Also, the "IGN" terminal is already being used by the Electric Choke and it has a 7amp fuse in the line to the choke.
The only two terminals that are empty are one that is labeled "BAT" and one that is labeled "ACC" can I use one of these for IGN power

Yes, "LPS" is the one to use for the lights.

Using the "ACC" is OK to use for power. The only difference is that the gauges will be powered up when the key is in accessory. Definately don't use the "BAT" terminal. The gauges would be on all the time.

Larry

Doesn't the cowl flapper valve connect to one/some of these terminals? I intend to install and connect the flapper valve at a later date. I guess I could "T" off a connection with two male ended connectors on the wires.

Thanks,
Andrew

Yes, the cowl induction does connect to the "BAT" and the "IGN" terminals. but, like you suggested, the cowl induction harness already comes with two tee's so you can piggy back extra connectors. There will be a short, 2" or 3" long pigtail at the end of each wire with another female connector at the end to connect other accessories.

Larry

Use IGN power to run any electric guages for pressures or temps and voltage. Reason being they will continue to operate as your crank. It's always good to know the cranking voltage and oil pressure in particular. You can light the lamps however you please, with the lamps circuit being the best choice IMHO.

Good point, Dave!

I didn't realize that the cowl induction flapper valve wiring came with the tee's. You know, this car building thing just keeps getting easier.... with lots of help from my friends. One day I am actually going to drive this car.

Thanks,
Andrew (aka X33D80)