Need Power Source Suggestions

Discussion in 'Audio, Video & Electronic Modifications' started by StevoSRT, Dec 4, 2009.

  1. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    Might have diagnosed my crazy vac/boost gauge readings....

    asked Autometer and got this response....

    Any suggestions as to which power source in the dash I could use?
     
  2. Hemi31

    Hemi31 [email protected]

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    I use the 12v in the a-pillar or the cig lighter
     
  3. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    right now its on the cig lighter....

    does the sig lighter power source satisfy what the tech from autometer is talking about?

    if it does i will email them back to see what other suggestions they have
     
  4. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    Can't go wrong tapping into the cig lighter/accessory plug. They always have a big fuse (20A?). I'm pretty sure the power in the a-pillar is the same. Whatever you tap into you want to check when it's powered and when it's not. Key off, key on, key acc, engine running, interrupted on start.

    I was half way dissappointed I didn't do something while I was in and behind the dash installing my wideband. There is some room behind the center console (radio), room under the drivers dash and a really nice space behind your glove box.

    note: there is this really nifty tunnel that runs from the under the driver's dash behind the radio and stuff, over to the space behind the glove box. It's large and seems to be completely walled so wires and stuff you push through there doesn't get caught on anything.

    Someone did this on lxforums a few years ago and I was thinking of putting a sort of patch panel/buss bar in there somewhere. Run large gauge power from the battery in the rear or off the distribution box under the hood to it. Have 6 or so lugs on it for power. Much neater than tapping into wires all over the place as you add stuff and you have clean, known power.
     
  5. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    well if the cig lighter does in fact meet the criteria....

    I have to revise my question....

    My Vac/Boost gauges is constantly reading 10-20 units higher than it should...and looking at datalogs and the P Ratio (which im told if you know how to read tells you your vac boost) shows that things are in fact normal and the gauge is just reading wrong....

    for example...it shows about a 3 or 4 vac while at idle in drive....when (to my understanding) it should be closer to 15 - 25 vac...and im showing like 10lbs of boost when i barely touch the throttle lol...

    so....any suggestions?
     
  6. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    Here's a guess....
    1 atmosphere is about 14.7 psi... sound like that's about how far off it is?
     
  7. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    so how do i fix the atmosphere? loll
     
  8. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    Hold your breath!

    Sounds like you're getting absolute readings (just like the PCM probably reports). Sounds like a configuration option on the gauge? did you open the manual/instructions?
     
  9. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    Here it is....

    http://www.autometer.com/productPDF/0569A.pdf

    the only 2 things i see is the mounting....and the first quote i posted....

    and the map sensor is mounted correctly....we ended up moving it to a different spot so we could mount it the way the instructions indicated

    You know...the more i think about it...the more i think this is the issue...cause when i start the car....all the gauges go to 0...then power back up when the car is on....
     
  10. Hemi31

    Hemi31 [email protected]

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    where do you have the vacuum teed?I had an Autometer gauge in the Magnum wired to the lighter and never had an issue......Maybe you have a bad MAP sensor.
     
  11. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    I sorta think that might be the case...but i am trying to rule all other things out before i go to autometer saying that something is broken....

    i could take a pic of the T's....they are a few inch's to the left of the sensor...which is basically directly in front of the steering wheel...on the cross brace over the engine....
     
  12. Hemi31

    Hemi31 [email protected]

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    Where did you tee the vacuum for the MAP?
     
  13. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    im gonna go snap a quick pic.....
     
  14. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    I'm betting it's the power interrupt on start.

    What is this thing? It taps into the feed off the stock MAP sensor?
    So it would latch barometric at power on and then use that as an offset after? That would make sense with their instructions. Maybe if it gets a reading for baro (like if the engine is running when it powers up) that it considers out of range then it defaults to displaying absolute.

    If you had just bought the DashDAQ from Red you wouldn't have these problems...
     
  15. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    Here is the T's

    [​IMG]


    well we will see...just need a good power source to tap into....

    so, any ideas as far as a key'ed on non dropped power source?

    and yes i know DashDAQ rules all...but as i dont have one this very second...ill have to settle with figuring this issue out lol
     
  16. Hemi31

    Hemi31 [email protected]

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    Whats with the Hobbs switch before the Map? And where is it actually picking up vacuum from?
     
  17. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    <--- is stupid and has no idea what your asking with the Hobbs switch

    And I have no idea...Chris put it in lol
     
  18. Hemi31

    Hemi31 [email protected]

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    Well then I can't help.....lol. If you have a messed up vacuum signal it won't help you.Even if the power shut off when you crank the car the gauge should be fine once it goes through it's test. If you had a hand held vacuum pump with a gauge you could test the map for accurate vacuum.
     
  19. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    always appreciate the POV brotha...

    one day i'll learn enough to be some use lol....im tryin! LOL
     
  20. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    Just to test... run a wire to the battery. If that's not it then we'll have to figure out what a Hobbs switch is... Chris did that? he *zip tied* your hobbs switch on there with *yellow* zip ties :shok: The little knobbies aren't even lined up.