Power Source Info Needed

[typicalmarine]

I bought the inoovative motor sports air/fuel gauge kit. I spliced into the arm rests cigarette lighter power - ran that to a power switch then to the x-16 digital gauge. NOTHING! I did blow fuse 16 or 18 - cant recall without being back at the car. So something happened

Oh and Ive always used this cigarette lighter to power my sirius sat radio but that was via a "plug" in power method. Now it doesnt work either.

Did I do something stupid or what? Can I just run a power line from the rear fuse box power bolt area with a fuse, straight to my switch/gauge?

Thanks in advance

[Junior]

I'll try to help - sometimes it's hard when you can't see it.

Your gauge needs some sort of signal input, right? And then 12v to power it. Probably a ground as well. And what you're talking about is the 12v power.

Are those assumptions OK so far?

[typicalmarine]

Yes, it needs a signal input - I've supplied this. Yes, needs 12v power and does need to be grounded. I did ground per instructions via engine block.

[Token]

Not sure what would have caused your fuse to blow, as the XD16 would not be taking a lot of power.

However, on another note...

I'm not sure if you would want to use the power from under the armrest. This is "always on" and would mean that your XD16 would be powered up all of the time. you'll want a "switched" power source.

[Junior]

Yes, it needs a signal input - I've supplied this. Yes, needs 12v power and does need to be grounded. I did ground per instructions via engine block.

Okey doke.

1) Have you replaced the blown fuse? (I assume so)
- And if so, did it hold?
- If not, you need to remove the splice into the 12v at the armrest, and see if it holds then.

2) What's the switch for? Isn't the gauge meant to be on all the time? (EDIT: Token's point clears this one up)

3) Have you checked to make sure that nothing is grounding out - from the splice to the switch, to the gauge, is everything shielded well?

[typicalmarine]

1) Have you replaced the blown fuse? (I assume so)
- And if so, did it hold? yes I replaced it
- If not, you need to remove the splice into the 12v at the armrest, and see if it holds then. Sounds like I may have to do this anyway.

2) What's the switch for? Isn't the gauge meant to be on all the time? (EDIT: Token's point clears this one up)

3) Have you checked to make sure that nothing is grounding out - from the splice to the switch, to the gauge, is everything shielded well OMG, lol you just gave me a headache! So should I have run all of the ground wiring in light conduit?

Its just really strange how the arm rest cigarette lighter isnt givine out power any longer.

Is there another power source I can tap into? When running an amp we can hook directly to the battery or to the positive power point in the rear fuse box. Damn this really sucks. I need this to get a good tune.

[Junior]

OMG, lol you just gave me a headache! So should I have run all of the ground wiring in light conduit?

Well, no - but if something caused the fuse to blow, after you tapped into a circuit, the first thing to suspect is that 12v went to ground somewhere. If you were adding a heavy draw, then you might suspect too much current, but you're not, so...

Its just really strange how the arm rest cigarette lighter isnt givine out power any longer.

So if the fuse is still good, but there's no power at the cigarette lighter, perhaps a connection at the back of the lighter broke/became dislodged.

Is there another power source I can tap into?

Lots of 'em. Where is your gauge mounted?

When running an amp we can hook directly to the battery or to the positive power point in the rear fuse box.

You can, if it's fused properly.