11 replies to this topic

[Brookesy]

Planning a new dash with the 3 extra dials (oil temp, voltmeter and clock for example) and i was just wondering what extra wiring i will need to purchase to connect them up. Im also thinking of replacing the ashtray with a light to illuminate the dashboard. Where would i wire this and the clock up too to give them power?

Never really done any wiring on a car before so any advice is greatly appreciated!

Cheers Mike

[Ocado Man]

Have a look at these gauges. Minimal wiring required as it is done by sensor. All you need to do is follow the easy instructions. Red here, black there, yellow somewhere etc.

Look great IMO.

http://www.mcgillmot...p...at&catId=10

[Brookesy]

Have a look at these gauges. Minimal wiring required as it is done by sensor. All you need to do is follow the easy instructions. Red here, black there, yellow somewhere etc.

Look great IMO.

http://www.mcgillmot...p...at&catId=10

Ah nice. Do they ever have any problem with the signal being interupted or anything or have they always worked?

Thinkning of looking for something a bit more old school like the smith gauges though. These are nice but going for a more classic look i think

Edited by Brookesy, 04 August 2011 - 09:46 AM.

[AVV IT]

Firstly an oil pressure gauge would be far more useful and a much better investment than an oil temperature gauge, as it will alert you to potential mechanical problems with your engine before its too late.

All three gauges will require illumination wiring (to make them, light up at night and separate data wiring to read the specific information from.) Illumination can either be done by taking a feed from the dash illumination circuit, or the side light circuit. Ideally this should be done using a relay so that you do not overload the existing circuits.

A volt meter will need connecting to a switched live feed for its data (so that it only reads when the ignition is on), whereas a clock will need connecting to a permanent live feed so that the clock doesn't stop when you turn the ignition off. On the classic mini people often take both of these feeds from the stereo. The stereo will usually have both a switched and live feed itself and is often close by too, as it is often located immediately below the three gauges on the dash.

An oil temperature gauge will need to be connected to an oil temperature sensor that you will need to fit to the engine somewhere, I believe that it is possible to buy a replacement sump plug with a built in sensor for this purpose. You will then need to run the wiring through the bulk head and then routed down to the sump. If you choose to fit an oil pressure gauge instead, these are generally mechanical and therefore don't have an electrical data connection. Instead you attach a pipe to the back of the gauge and then screw the other end into the engine block where the oil pressure switch is currently located. (if you still want your orange oil light to work too, then you will also need a T-peice adapter, so that you can screw both the oil pressure switch and the oil pressure gauge pipe to the block)


Here's mine!! (Oil Pressure - Clock - Volt Meter)

Edited by AVV IT, 04 August 2011 - 10:08 AM.

[freshairmini]

I got a Volt meter, oil pressure and vacuum gauge. I think clocks a bit pointless for me as I had a clock on my head unit.

The oil pressure is the MOST important to get if your getting gauges, mines already paid for itself, the pressure when down on mine the other day and turned out I had nearly no oil left! so... it helped already.

There pretty easy to fit as well, switched live for the oil pressure and volt meter (i think the #2 fuse in fuse box, right hand side normally has a spare connection, and they both are on that. and I took a feed for the illumination straight from the dash lights.

[Brookesy]

That dash is lovely! Looking at doing something very similar myself But replacing the vents with some speakers.

Is your dash handbuilt or have you gone through one of the dashboard companies?

Thankyou very much for the information aswell. If the oil pressure is more benificial then will go for one of those This sounds the easiest to set up.

In terms of wiring, do the gauges usually come with compatible wires you need? or are there certain wires i need to purchase?

Thanks again this is genuinly really useful

[Ocado Man]

You will probably need to get some wire as gauges / clocks come with minimal length of wire. Oil Pressure gauge will come with the length of tubing required as well as the nuts & brackets to fix it to the dash.

My console looks identical to Avv it's (although mine is red) & came from Custom Consoles. Very good quality & great customer service. Easy to fit too!

[AVV IT]

That dash is lovely! ....

....Is your dash handbuilt or have you gone through one of the dashboard companies?

Thanks it's from Custom Consoles, as above, a really good company with great customer service.

In terms of wiring, do the gauges usually come with compatible wires you need? or are there certain wires i need to purchase?

I believe that Smiths gauges just come with two short lengths of wiring on the bulb holders and that you have to connect your own wiring to the terminals on the back of each gauge. Brand new smiths gauges cost a fortune though, so I got all of mine second hand from auto jumble stands at mini shows, or from Ebay and I saved a fortune. If you buy used ones then you can buy all the spares (seals, lenses, bulb holders etc) needed to give them a makeover from Holden Vintage & Classic. If you go for a used oil pressure gauge, then the pipe, adapter and T-peices are all available from Mini Spares. I would recommend a Braided/Reinforced pipe though, as it actually carries a small supply of high pressurised engine oil to the back of the gauge and the last thing you want is the pipe developing a leak and spraying hot engine oil everywhere inside your car.

You are probably best to buy reels of suitably rated wire from a motor factors or electrical supplier and then cut the wires to length. You will also need a selection of terminals/connectors and a decent quality crimping tool in order attach the terminals and join the wires together. If you a complete novice to auto electrics, then you might want to consider getting a professional to at least check over your work first though, as faulty wiring can easily lead to a fire.

[Brookesy]

Awesome advice! Was planning on making a dash but if there is one that looks like what i want i may just purchase one for now

Ive been looking at smith gauges and you aint wrong they are slightly on the more expensive side! Will give the ebay e.t.c side a bash see what i can find! Freshairmini mentioned a vacuum gauge.. what is the purpose of these? Or are they like the volt meters and only really usefel to show something is going wrong?

Once again thanks for the advice helping more than a lot

Mike

[freshairmini]

Awesome advice! Was planning on making a dash but if there is one that looks like what i want i may just purchase one for now

Ive been looking at smith gauges and you aint wrong they are slightly on the more expensive side! Will give the ebay e.t.c side a bash see what i can find! Freshairmini mentioned a vacuum gauge.. what is the purpose of these? Or are they like the volt meters and only really usefel to show something is going wrong?

Once again thanks for the advice helping more than a lot

Mike

not exactly sure what the vacuum gauge is for. looks cool . but i heard it can help with fuel economy. as it shows less vacuum as you depress the accelerator. so more fuel is being used. so it can show you to back off the throttle to go same speed but use less fuel.

i think that about right.

anyway it was really to fill an extra space and it looks pretty cool!

[AVV IT]

what is the purpose of these?

No doubt someone will here give you the in depth scientific rationale for a vacuum gauge, but in reality there really isn't that much practical application for them in a mini. They will show you when you are burning more fuel though (something that you can usually tell just by the sound of the engine or the position of your right foot ). They tend to be a popular choice because they are one of the cheaper gauges available and are also relatively straight forward to fit, they are therefore ideal for plugging that third hole in a 3 hole dash, when you are not entirely sure what to put there. They also have a needle that swings around wildly as you accelerate and decelerate, which gives you something fun to look at even if it's not that practical.

Edited by AVV IT, 04 August 2011 - 06:40 PM.

[Mini Waco]

4 years later and all your advice is being noted and will be put to use.. thank you!