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Steve (SRTech) has Marshall dimmer switches that are specifically designed to work with the Marshall MINI OEM look gauges for anyone that would like to dim the gauges. Most people that use the dimmer just set it to the desired brightness then forget about it, but it can be mounted for easy adjustment on the fly. 1 dimmer can be used for multiple gauges.
If you want the gauges to dim along with the OEM gauges Ray (RJB) has created an "inline dimmer" to do this.
If you want the gauges to dim along with the OEM gauges Ray (RJB) has created an "inline dimmer" to do this.
I'm interested in this. Why reinvent the wheel? The only questions I have are, will the "inline dimmer" work with both stepper and mechanical gauges (I have both), and is one module sufficient to drive multiple gauges?
I'm interested in this. Why reinvent the wheel? The only questions I have are, will the "inline dimmer" work with both stepper and mechanical gauges (I have both), and is one module sufficient to drive multiple gauges?
Tom S
One dimmer will do up to 7 gauges. I haven't tried it on a combination. I have them for $25.
I'm interested in this. Why reinvent the wheel? The only questions I have are, will the "inline dimmer" work with both stepper and mechanical gauges (I have both), and is one module sufficient to drive multiple gauges?
Tom S
Mine (the in-line) should be able to support at least 4 (I'm guessing more like 7) gauges, I'm currently in the process of getting quotes for the PCB board. I'm probably a month away (maybe sooner) from having them commercially available. I don't believe it will work with the non stepper motor gauges as they dim via the "lighting" wire and not by varying the VCC voltage, Paul at Marshall can confirm. Mine also has a circuit that will turn the lighting on when the dimmer is turned on, this saves the trouble of needing to find a hot wire for the lights. I should have priceing in a couple of days when I get the PCB board qoute and a prototype in hand.
__________________ Sully/2009 JCW Chili Red/Black/Ordered 8-22-2009/Born 10-28-2008/Delivered11-17-2008
Black Bonnet Stripes | JCW Sport Suspension | Strut Brace
Auto A/C | MFSW | Arm Rest | Fluid Silver Interior surface
RJB's inline dimmer will work with all the Marshall gauges: non-stepper, stepper, and mechanical boost. You hook them up all the same way, i.e. the red output wire from his inline dimmer connects to the 12V ACC gauge connection.
The Marshall dimmer works similarly except it has a separate control knob for brightness, it does not work inline with the OEM dimmer.
Got the brackets, pods and psiclone adapter for the mech boost gauge from steve (Fantastic packing job btw). Its all installed and looks beautiful but I havent yet wired the lighting up. Is going via the cigarette lighter for 12V and Ground with the DSC for the amber lighting the best route? I'll post some pics up PDQ!!
cheers
__________________ Winston - 2009 chilli red MCS - sport suspension, LSD, Comfort, Convenience. Now with K&N CAI. More to come
Got the brackets, pods and psiclone adapter for the mech boost gauge from steve (Fantastic packing job btw). Its all installed and looks beautiful but I havent yet wired the lighting up. Is going via the cigarette lighter for 12V and Ground with the DSC for the amber lighting the best route? I'll post some pics up PDQ!!
cheers
That wiring plan is the easiest way.
__________________ 2 X Perma Grin tools & Members of MidCal MINI's Dad(Navy 8300 MCPO)-2008 MCS DS/B, JCW Aero, CF Scoop, mirrors. (M7) Turbo Heatshield, Strut Brace, USS, Super AGS and Shift Knob. CMS Shorty Ant, Marshall's Mini Boost/Vac, H2O Gauges, Aestheric side marker vinyl, Go-Mini 3rd brake pulsar & no hole's plate, Limo Tint. Mom(Keeper of more then the keys)-2007 MC MY/b Cabrio, M7 Strut Plates, Brownflyer Screen. Custom MODS done by SRTech @ Custom Mini Shop 559-320-0004
One of my customers has reported back about the vibrating needle problem and how he fixed it. All it took was about an inch of cotton from a cotton ball stuffed into the tube as it gets to the gauge. Thanks, Brian!
I too started up with the vibrating needle. Simple simple fix. go snag an inline restrictor and splice it into the line. Problem solved. Most auto supply shops should have them.
__________________ Winston - 2009 chilli red MCS - sport suspension, LSD, Comfort, Convenience. Now with K&N CAI. More to come
Can anyone say with any certainty if RJB's inline dimmer circuit will work in an '06 R52, with a Marshall stepper Vac/Boost gauge? If there's a post in this thread addressing this combination, I've missed it. Thanks in advance.
__________________
SHIFTER: '06 HB/Blue MCSC; JCW CAI, Alta 15%, 380's, NGK's, Jet Hot coated OBX header, M7 OCC, 1-ball, RMW tune, 209/169 at the wheels, Hawk HPS pads, TD PR1.2/Bridgestone RE01's, M7 STB, TSW x-brace underneath, blue sky overhead
Can anyone say with any certainty if RJB's inline dimmer circuit will work in an '06 R52, with a Marshall stepper Vac/Boost gauge? If there's a post in this thread addressing this combination, I've missed it. Thanks in advance.
I haven't tried it directly on a R52 but I'd be certain that it would. Paul at Marshall bench tested it on his bench setup and it worked fine. I've been using mine now for over a week in my R56 fine.
My only concern WAS is whether or not the R52 used PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), I verified the R56 does, to dim the lights, but I designed it to work either way, so I can't see it being an issue.
I'm waiting on final assembly pricing from my supplier (I should have it Monday) then I can give everyone pricing (I figure retail around $45) with a group buy (discount will depend on final pricing from my supplier).
BTW Not sure if you read my posts above but it also has the convenience of not needing to find a hot wire for the lighting (you can take the amber [or white] LED lighting wire to the dimmer to "trigger" the gauge lighting)
Update: I will work with Steve at SRTech to coordinate the group buy
__________________ Sully/2009 JCW Chili Red/Black/Ordered 8-22-2009/Born 10-28-2008/Delivered11-17-2008
Black Bonnet Stripes | JCW Sport Suspension | Strut Brace
Auto A/C | MFSW | Arm Rest | Fluid Silver Interior surface
Last edited by rjb : 11-07-2009 at 10:30 AM.
Reason: Update
Mech. boost/Vag gauge, Cravenspeed cup, cravenspeed A bracket run off the PSiclone adapter. I also used a fair amount of tie straps and some heat shrink tubing to make it look factory!
The tubing was made easy to work with thanks to a heat gun.
Mounted up nicely. At first I used the spacer but decided it looked better without.
A quick closeup whilst driving
Lit up
A close up lit up.
All in all I'm super happy with it and the way Steve took care of me from start to finish.
Now.. if only they had an A/F or EGT gauge that matched.. or charge temp.. hmmmm
Sorry for the poor quality of two of the pictures.. I was too lazy to switch from my macro lens.
__________________ Winston - 2009 chilli red MCS - sport suspension, LSD, Comfort, Convenience. Now with K&N CAI. More to come
Try the side marker light (or tail light, parking light etc) circuit. If you get the issue with the computer sending out a pulse that interferes with the lighting on the gauge just install a relay to isolate the 12V to the light circuit.
Try the side marker light (or tail light, parking light etc) circuit. If you get the issue with the computer sending out a pulse that interferes with the lighting on the gauge just install a relay to isolate the 12V to the light circuit.
Thanks for the reply. I'll give this approach a whirl and let you know how things work out.
__________________ PW Peerage #92 - SHADOWFAX - '05 MC PW/B -- Visit my Garage to see Pics and Mods List
"Shadowfax tossed his head and cried aloud, as if a trumpet had summoned him to battle... Fire flew from his feet; night rushed over him." -- J.R.R.Tolkien
so i own the oil pressure and boost guage so far and plan on getting oil temp and water temp soon as well. this might be a stupid question, but would the oil pressure sending unit work as a oil temperature sending unit as well? i only ask since there are 2 contacts on the back, only 1 of which is used for pressure read-out. if not, how would one install a pressure and temperature sending unit?
I honestly thought you would be out checking out your new tune
I'm a drive in customer, since I work there. 
Suzie's Bumblebee
Master Blaster
Winston - 2009 chilli red MCS - sport suspension, LSD, Comfort, Convenience. Now with K&N CAI. More to come
SHADOWFAX
PW Peerage #92 - SHADOWFAX - '05 MC PW/B -- Visit my 
RMW Head, Cam, 440 injectors and Tune, 15% pulley, OBX Ceramic Header, Milltek Cat Back. 249.5Hp 207.5lbft
Hybrid Mode
