ndogg

what the hell is up with that, can this be fixed?

dogpile5

don't think so, everytime i've installed a Tach, i just tap into parking lights b/c the dimmer controll is negative pole, not positive.

ndogg

so you just run full bright whenever the lights are on?

Mista Bone

yes, but I have a switch to kill the gauges lights.

I have this.........





[Modified by Mista Bone, 6:31 AM 8/29/2002]


[Modified by Mista Bone, 6:31 AM 8/29/2002]

ndogg

what if i bought a variable resistor from radio shack and put that into the white wire, would that be a safe dimmer? any suggestions on resistance values?

sirminder

if your tach is dimming correctly but in the opposiste direction as it should, then i would check the wiring. chances are the polarities are backwards. did u just install this tach? did the tach's dimmer circuit ever work correctly?

ndogg

yes, i just installed it. i don't think i did anything backwards, i think civic dash dimmers are just abnomal. does anyone have a 5gen civic with a correctly working dimmer for an autometer tach?? i checked the voltage on the dimmer wire and the voltage goes down when the dash gets brighter. kinda weird. but just to clarify, i was not hooked up to the wrong wire. i just need to take the time and measure the internal resistance of the dimmer circuit in the tach and then i will go buy a variable resistor and see how that works.


[Modified by ndogg, 10:04 PM 8/29/2002]

Mista Bone

civic dash dimmer is wacked, why mine is switched. I ran off the underdash fuse block. One of the 5 spade connections gets power when the parking lights are on. I then put a switch near the e-brake to turn off the cluster lights (cop/ricer MAGNET!)

ndogg

thats what i thought. i just used the parking light 12V wire. i just finished putting in a 0-25 ohm potentimeter [sp] and it works like a charm. all you see is a **** stickint out of the dash, its clean.

Mista Bone

did you get the pot from ratshack? If so, number please.....

Switch + Dimmer =

ndogg

ya, i got it at the Shack. sorry bro buy i threw all the packaging away. just look in the pot section. it isn't acually called a pot though. all the pots were like 5 kilo-ohms and up. damn it i can't even remember what it was called, but i do remember that the package said "variable resistor" on the top and it is a 25 ohm. the name had something to do with stereos but i can't remember what it was called. just get a **** and the "thingy" and you will be set. i drilled a hole in that little plastic insert just below my dash dimmer and put it there.

ok, i just took it apart to see if i could get a number for you, on the bottom, it says "B 25 ohm" it doesn't actually say ohm but has the ohm sign. thats the best i can do.

ndogg

bone, after driving around tonight, i realized that it doesn't dim quite as much as i would like. if you get one, i would suggest about 50 ohm.

Mista Bone

your clues might be clueless to others, but I know what to buy.

Thanks for the info.

ZeroEric

seattle =
mista bone = smart