wiring a gauge in air vent

[VanishingImage]

I just recieved an Air/Fuel ratio gauge from tido29 and was wondering how to run the wire through the vent to where I can get it through the firewall?

[red98grandamse]

if youre using hte left most vent, like i think.. there is a small hole where i ran the wires from the vent through to the fuse box panel on the drivers side, then youre free to go whereever with it.

[praasch]

same here....drilled a small hole to gain access into the fuse box...from there you can get wherever....

[VanishingImage]

I was planning on second vent,on the right side of the steering wheel. I see to see that spot easier and not so cluttered looking over by the door. I would like it to be easy to run the wire but still want it to be where I can see it easily and to where others can see it better(since it is mainly for show until I do some engine mods)

[praasch]

hmmmm...if its one of the middle vents, would it work to make a small hole in the bottom of the vent, then run the wires down where the headunit and stuff are??? there should be a lot of open space back there to run the wires, and then get down to the firewall and into the engine bay.....just a thought....

[VanishingImage]

how do you drill a hole in the vent since its such a small space?

[praasch]

ah yes, kinda forgot about the small area behind the headunit to try and drill........um....let me think and i'll post back....

[The Artist]

u take the vent out, get a long ass bit, and drill thru where the vent sits INTO the dead space behind where ure head unit sits at an angle (i mean, u are just running 16g wire for christs sake so it doesnt have to be a big hole)v :)

[praasch]

he's gotta point :)

[VanishingImage]

I think I know what your talking about:) Thnx guys:)

[red98grandamse]

lol.. just make sure you know whats behind where youre drilling.. no need to hit a wire or anything..

[want2modmygt]

Originally posted by praasch
hmmmm...if its one of the middle vents, would it work to make a small hole in the bottom of the vent, then run the wires down where the headunit and stuff are??? there should be a lot of open space back there to run the wires, and then get down to the firewall and into the engine bay.....just a thought....

:agree: thats how i did my LED's in my vents. worked amazingly. and lots of room above the HU

[praasch]

sorry to hijack....but will....did you just drill a hole and glue the led into place or how did you do that???

[03BlackGT]

i assume he used LED holders. nice lil gromet type thing that uses a certain size bit to make a perfect size whole. drill the hole, pop in the holder (clips in so it dont move around) and then just clip in the led into it. my bro used them for his vents on his thunderbird. u can find them in the LED section at any radioshack or electronics store. for general reference.... http://www.fvc.com.tw/english/listpro.asp?classid=12&nclassid=299&sortid=172

-aLeX-

[nice96gt]

Yeah all I would do it drill a hole big enough to feed your wires through. Like sweet98gagt said. The wire is so small and you won't even see it anyways. There really is nothing to hit in that area anyways, as long as you take your headunit out. :)

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by nice96gt
Yeah all I would do it drill a hole big enough to feed your wires through. Like sweet98gagt said. The wire is so small and you won't even see it anyways. There really is nothing to hit in that area anyways, as long as you take your headunit out. :)

so drill down or up? And I really don't have any new drills,all are older drills with cords,no cordless.

[praasch]

i would enter into the vent and drill down into the open area underneath the headunit......but like paul (red98grandamse) said, just make sure everything is cleared out inside that open area....

[VanishingImage]

oh ok,i just got the image in my head on it,angle the drill and go down at an angle

[praasch]

yepper! as always....we need :pic: when completed!

[want2modmygt]

Originally posted by 03BlackGT
i assume he used LED holders. nice lil gromet type thing that uses a certain size bit to make a perfect size whole. drill the hole, pop in the holder (clips in so it dont move around) and then just clip in the led into it. my bro used them for his vents on his thunderbird. u can find them in the LED section at any radioshack or electronics store. for general reference.... http://www.fvc.com.tw/english/listpro.asp?classid=12&nclassid=299&sortid=172

-aLeX-

actually, no. lol. i drilled a small hole to fit both wires (pos/neg) and appied a small piece of plastic to the LED, and glued the LED on with plastic weld. ill get pics. be back in a bit.

[want2modmygt]

1 pic

[want2modmygt]

aniother pic

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by praasch
yepper! as always....we need :pic: when completed!

sure will! My dad has to make a custom piece to go around the gauge first so it snaps or is a snug fit inside the vent ring.

[car audio dave]

if i were you id use silicone to reseal the hole after the wire is run. i dont think itll hurt anything if the hole is small enough, but the a/c might put some condensation onto your head unit over a long period of time.

im considering doing something like this as well eventually. my 3 gauges arent enough (too many people have the gauge pod, i want something more).

[praasch]

^^ i agree with dave on this one, i want a gauge pod (moreso for looks) but the vent pods are more unique and not seen very much....yet. just not sure i want to lose too many vents though.....

[VanishingImage]

yea I was planning on sealing the hole after I run the wires through it.

Doing this should cause more air flow coming out the other vents tho since the air can't come out the one that has the gauge in it

[want2modmygt]

im not too concerned about condensation. i try to not use A/C and the holes are small. like 1/64 i think.

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by want2modmygt
im not too concerned about condensation. i try to not use A/C and the holes are small. like 1/64 i think.

gotta have AC in humid places:( Not a person to stand the heat real well

[car audio dave]

you know...if youre creative you can make it so that the air can come out from around the gauge. :D whats even better if you can make it so that the "pod" that your gauge is mounted to can pivot. hmmm ideas ideas.

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by car audio dave
you know...if youre creative you can make it so that the air can come out from around the gauge. :D whats even better if you can make it so that the "pod" that your gauge is mounted to can pivot. hmmm ideas ideas.

my dad could prolly machice something then put some bearings but that would take some deep thinking:D