switched 12 volt power source

[olds350]

I'm adding a set of gauges to the bimmer to be able to watch the oil pressure and voltage. I'm use to my older style cars that a had a switched power lead on the fuse block to attach add-ons to. I have the bottom of the dash knee pad removed, amazing how many wires are under the dash to make this car work.

Can anyone recommend a spot to attach some wiring to? It needs to be robust, I'm attaching 14 gage wiring to run the meters.

thanks,

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I would look thorugh the wiring diagram and run a lead off the main ignition switch relay

[Larry F.]

There is no logical reason to use 14 guage wire. The current the meters draw is tiny, and 14 guage is much harder to work with than say, 18 guage. You could even go down to 22 guage and not introduce any problems.

I recently installed the Edge Technology guage set - oil pressure, oil temp and water temp, and they came with pre-wired, 18 guage high quality but stiff wiring. It was more difficult to route, and collectively, with four 18 guage wires to each of the three meters, was a pretty stiff bundle to route. There is just no need to go there.

As far as switched power in your E36 (an assumption, since you are on the E36 forum) if you are mounting them anywhere near the console space above the lighter and below the OBC, look for the violet with white stripe wire in the vertical bundle to the left after you have removed the accesory tray. Switched power to the radio, right where you want it. You will note it is a 1.5 mm wire, roughly equivalent to 16 guage . . . more than you need for the job.

Have fun!