Adding Water Pressure Gauge....Where to tap electrical?

[Ernest T]

I'm adding a water pressure gauge to my boat. Its a pretty simple gauge and electrically only needs a ground connection and a connection from the lighting system. I haven't looked behind the helm yet, so I'm wondering will there be spare wires on the wiring harness to connect to, or do you typically have to tap into a wire, and if so what is the best way to do that. I'm trying to get everything together that I will need for the installation and the boat is an hour away at a marina, so I can't take a look to see what I have back there.

Thanks for any help!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Adding Water Pressure Gauge....Where to tap electrical?

You would daisy-chain it off the gauge next to it.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Adding Water Pressure Gauge....Where to tap electrical?

Seems like you'd need a ground, a +12 V coming off a source that is powered when the key/switch is "on" and another +12 V that is "on" when the lights are on (assuming you have a lighting circuit). As noted above, you can daisy chain all of these from an adjoining instrument. There are a variety of crimp-on connectors that will allow you to hook up to the terminals of one of those instruments (so you don't have to tap into a wire). Take a look at the terminals of the adjoining instruments to determine the type of connector you'd need.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Adding Water Pressure Gauge....Where to tap electrical?

The "I" (ignition) terminal on any guage is the +12 volt switched connection. Connect to that terminal on the closest gauge. Same goes for the ground connection. Same goes for the internal light connection which is typically marked "L".

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Adding Water Pressure Gauge....Where to tap electrical?

Thanks for the replies. Looks like simple blade terminals. The daisy chain idea makes it pretty simple...........don't know why I didn't think of it.

Thanks again!