2 replies to this topic

[distortedmemories]

I am wanting to wire up my smiths clock in my dash, and was wondering where i could get my 12v feed from? which wires around the dash are constant feeds or is it better to take a direct feed from a battery? also i want to wire up the light and figure it would be a good idea to take the feed from the existing clock lights! but have no idea which wire it would be...

[Cooperman]

The clock will take very little, but you will want a constant feed. Take a feed from a permanent 12V live. This could be the brown feed into the starter switch, then to a 3amp fuse and on to the clock +ve.
To connect the light in the clock, just feed from the red lead out of the headlamp switch i.e. the sidelight circuit (not the dipswitch) again via a 3 amp fuse to the clock lamp input connection. You can buy fuse boxes for 2 fuses at most auto accessory shops together with 3 amp fuses. Fit it under the dash shelf.

I hope this is clear.

[Sherlock]

If yours is a later Mini, (mk3-on) it will have a 4 fuse box on the bulkhead to the right of the brake & clutch master cylinders. The bottom fuse is the one which is permanently live, which is the best place to take a feed to power your clock. To illuminate it you need to tap into the sidelight circuit, which is the red wire from the back of the light switch. Some say 'scotchlock' connectors are best for this. Check the polarity of your clock & disconnect the battery particularly when working on the switch panel. An early type Mini has a fuse box with only 2 fuses, I can't remember which way they are mounted, but the permanent live fuse is the one in the side of the fuse box which has 6 spade terminals one side & 4 the other. Lighting wire is the same, find the red on the switch.
Cooperman just beat me to it!

Edited by Sherlock, 02 October 2009 - 03:09 PM.