W123 Aftermarket Gauge Wiring Points

[Hellcat94]

Ok so I'm installing Electronic VDO Temp Gauge and I have gotten as far as routing the wiring for the sending unit (thread size M12 x 1.5), and finding ground for both the gauge and the gauge's light bulb.

I now need to find where to connect the gauge positive, so it comes on when the car is on, and where to connect the gauge bulb's positive, so the gauge's light comes on when my car lights come on.

Where would be the safest places to Tee into the wiring and should I install an inline fuse? The gauge is 12V & the recommended wiring I am using is 16 gauge.

I plan on installing two other gauges eventually, should I wire a plug for the positives to make their installation easier?

[Clemson88]

Get in the FSM and investigate how the original is wired. Everything you need is there, in the FSM and behind your cluster of gauges.

If you pick out the right wires you'll have power when everything else is lit.

[Hellcat94]

Ok so I wired the bulb lights to the screw on the headlight switch port for the instrument cluster, and I tied into the black and green hazard switch power wire from the fuse box under the dash, to get power for the gauge. Connected the wire from the sender and routed to the gauge & then grounded the gauge bulb and gauge itself. I installed some 7.5 amp inline fuses on both the light and power wires for the gauge.

It works perfect, the gauge comes on when the key is turned to the on or accessory position, as would the hazard switch, and the gauge bulb lights up in unison with the instrument cluster, its really quite pretty.

Ill post a more in depth description when I have time.

My only worry is where would I get power for a second gauge? I dont want to overwhelm a singular wire with a trio of additional connections.