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Adding a voltage gauge

Old Nov 14, 2018 | 09:07 PM
  #1  
letterman7's Avatar
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Adding a voltage gauge

I'm "old school". I like my gauges to see trends in what the vehicle is doing. I'm thinkin' on adding a volt meter somewhere.. maybe even using the A-pillar setup from the turbo and removing the boost gauge and replacing with a volt meter. Now, in reading this thread: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...r-54138/page6/ it seems that there may just be a connector already there under the existing pillar (haven't pulled it yet to confirm). If there is, anyone see any issue with using the appropriate wires to power said volt meter? Seems the only one I wouldn't use, of course, is the boost sender wire.

Rick
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 09:18 PM
  #2  
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Volt meter requires heavier gauge wire.
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 10:10 PM
  #3  
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If you just can't live without one you could
A. get one that plugs into the cig lighter
B get a ELM327 interface and Torque free app for your smart phone
C. get the + from the OBD2 Port or the cig lighter (they are on the same fuse).

If there is wiring already there it any + would be for back light; some years that went through the instrument panel dimmer some years it was ign+. Need to check yours.

I think Oldblue is thinking Ammeter not Voltmeter.
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 10:18 PM
  #4  
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The link you show is regarding the SS and the wiring for the boost gauge and tweeter. Since your's is not a SS, then it's not going to have that extra set of wires for the gauge. You'll only have the tweeter wiring.
Plus. If you go searching for the SS pillar trim w/gauge.........Good Luck. It's unavailable new anymore. Wrecking yard would be the place to look but it would have to come from an 08 or 09 since the 2010 SS didn't have a pillar gauge.
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 10:38 PM
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Volt meter will be fine with the stock wiring, no real current draw(usually under an amp) just like the boost gauge.
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 04:38 AM
  #6  
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Thanks all. @fireman .. several of those pillar covers have shown up on eBay recently. A little salty for a gauge and a piece of plastic, but they are out there. I'm finding I have wires in my panel that *shouldn't* be there, but are, so I'm keeping my hopes a little up. If they aren't there, my second choice is close to what Don mentioned - a HUD. For some reason I can't get used to my instrument panel (after owning for 2 months) and the divisions in the speedometer. I'm constantly over the speed limit so a plug-in OBD HUD might help reign my foot in a little :-)
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 05:48 AM
  #7  
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Just trade it in for a SS w/ the RPD unit. It will monitor lot's of stuff and has a digital speedometer also. I never even look at the "needle" speedo anymore. Too hard for my old eyes to see.

Old Nov 15, 2018 | 07:52 AM
  #8  
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That's kinda where I'm at, George. On my work truck, the speedo is much easier to see and decifer. But then, I've had it for 12 years.. so I'm used to it. But a plug in HUD for under $50 is very tempting :-)

Last edited by letterman7; Nov 15, 2018 at 11:50 AM.
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 07:56 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by letterman7
I'm constantly over the speed limit

Yeah, me too...


But I'm not gonna blame the speedometer.
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 08:26 AM
  #10  
firemangeorge's Avatar
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You could try something like this. And it could easily be swapped between vehicles.


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