[cgillio]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

I should have something for you guys by the end of the week... I am working on different install scenarios now

I was thinking of tapping into a fuse in the glove box that is activated when the lights turn on. The fuse map is so cryptic it would be trial and error to find it, but there must be one that will work.

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Great but what do u think of the fog light switch?

I was already investigating that possibility

[ontopofm]

for digital gauge: constant power wire to the same fuse that is used for V1, thanks to HyperM3, other wires to cigarette lighter in center console, thanks to Mr. 5, everything works great
for mechanical gauge: power wire to red/gray radio and other wires to cigarette lighter: thanks again to Mr. 5

[M3to335]

Still doesnt answer the question about the dimmer wire. I was really hoping someone found a dimmer wire that was NOT behind the headunit. What a pita.

[NM_BMW]

Originally Posted by M3to335

Still doesnt answer the question about the dimmer wire. I was really hoping someone found a dimmer wire that was NOT behind the headunit. What a pita.

+1 It's a bitch to take the radio out especially on the iDrive models.

Rix were you successful with the headlight & fog switch?

[cn555ic]

If you get a digital, you don't have to worry about dimming function!!

[M3to335]

I already have an STRI digital stepper type. But it does dim, or at least it has the capability to do so if I could hook it up.

[RiXst3r]

Now accepting orders through google checkout as well:
http://www.rixeffects.com/google.htm

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by Humtek

+1 It's a bitch to take the radio out especially on the iDrive models.

Rix were you successful with the headlight & fog switch?

There has to be power in the cigarette lighter ring in center console, enough for a relay to power the dimmer wire .

[M3to335]

Negatory. Been there done that. The only place folks have found that works, is behind the radio. I was hoping someone else tracked it back over to where Rix is getting power.

[e.n335]

I hope we will find a more friendly solution than behind the radio. Why no power for a relay from the illuminated ring ?

[RiXst3r]

I am working on a solution for the dimmer wire... I will post my findings

[scooby9]

I wonder if a relay to the headlight fuse would work?

[RiXst3r]

Good news, and bad news about the dimmer wires...

So it looks like I am going to have 2 options for the wiring, a version that does what pretty much everyone figured it would do, and tap into the dimmer wire behind the radio... (sorry guys).. and a version that will be a "plug and play" version that will be a harness that plugs inline with the headlight switch. No tapping, splicing, or anything... The components needed to create this will include capacitors, step up converters, dc-dc regulator, a resistor, a diode and a relay. I have the circuit design almost finished. The parts alone are close to 30 dollars, so this will be an option down the road, but for now everyone will have to do it the hard way. Which actually isnt that bad, its just a couple wire taps behind the radio... no biggie, and no reason to remove it when you go to the dealer, just tuck it into the dash...

something for the podkit v2 I guess

Install instructions will make even the "hard way" pretty darn easy. Its really not that hard to tap a wire... but because some people don't want to, I will be creating the harness, but don't expect that to be for a while, after I get done with shipping these first 50.

I am still working on a few other options as well, for people that don't like removing the radio

[NRG]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

I am still working on a few other options as well, for people that don't like removing the radio

+1000 on that please!

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

Good news, and bad news about the dimmer wires...

So it looks like I am going to have 2 options for the wiring, a version that does what pretty much everyone figured it would do, and tap into the dimmer wire behind the radio... (sorry guys).. and a version that will be a "plug and play" version that will be a harness that plugs inline with the headlight switch. No tapping, splicing, or anything... The components needed to create this will include capacitors, step up converters, dc-dc regulator, a resistor, a diode and a relay. I have the circuit design almost finished. The parts alone are close to 30 dollars, so this will be an option down the road, but for now everyone will have to do it the hard way. Which actually isnt that bad, its just a couple wire taps behind the radio... no biggie, and no reason to remove it when you go to the dealer, just tuck it into the dash...

something for the podkit v2 I guess

Install instructions will make even the "hard way" pretty darn easy. Its really not that hard to tap a wire... but because some people don't want to, I will be creating the harness, but don't expect that to be for a while, after I get done with shipping these first 50.

I am still working on a few other options as well, for people that don't like removing the radio

Yeah but what about the digital guages...There is no need for dimming on those guages, so i guess this would not be a problem for those of us getting the digital guage...Or is there???

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Yeah but what about the digital guages...There is no need for dimming on those guages, so i guess this would not be a problem for those of us getting the digital guage...Or is there???

In my PERSONAL opinion, on the digital you can choose a brightness thats readable in the daytime, and not too bright at night, and screw the dimmer wire... BUT... on the mechanical, use JUST a dimmer wire to power the whole thing, no need to light it up during the day, you only want it to light up at night, like the rest of the gauges.

Now thats my personal opinion, which is why I am exercising every possible option so that if someone wants it a certain way, they don't have to fool around with it, I can have the instructions ready for them.

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

In my PERSONAL opinion, on the digital you can choose a brightness thats readable in the daytime, and not too bright at night, and screw the dimmer wire... BUT... on the mechanical, use JUST a dimmer wire to power the whole thing, no need to light it up during the day, you only want it to light up at night, like the rest of the gauges.

Now thats my personal opinion, which is why I am exercising every possible option so that if someone wants it a certain way, they don't have to fool around with it, I can have the instructions ready for them.

Thats what I am thinking with the digital guages is that there is a fucntion to dim in on the guage itself...I just want to know for me to hook it up to the fog log button its pretty simple I assume...Just connect it to the positive feed of the switch? Can you have directions for people wanting to do this mod with a digital guage? I don't need the guage to be on all the time, but when I want it on i will have to turn on my fog lights on both the guage and the fog lights light up!!! Please try to help me with this feature!

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Thats what I am thinking with the digital guages is that there is a fucntion to dim in on the guage itself...I just want to know for me to hook it up to the fog log button its pretty simple I assume...Just connect it to the positive feed of the switch? Can you have directions for people wanting to do this mod with a digital guage? I don't need the guage to be on all the time, but when I want it on i will have to turn on my fog lights on both the guage and the fog lights light up!!! Please try to help me with this feature!

Well, its not that simple... the foglight switch runs on 5v and 2v ... there is a 12v signal in that harness that drops to 8v when the lights come on... hence the need for my special handy dandy circuit I am making... The components needed to create this will include capacitors, step up converters, dc-dc regulator, a resistor, a diode and a relay.

And thats AFTER I make sure that the system can handle a sustained 150mA load to power the gauge... I am working hard to make this have options for everyone in the future!

Right now, my goal is to fulfill the current orders with just the standard install wires and tap-ins, as PLANNED. The circuit will be a "v2" thing... since its not really needed, and it would slow things down. I wasn't even going to mention it for this reason...

[Mr. 5]

You guys really did do a great job with that pod.
Congrats!

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

You guys really did do a great job with that pod.
Congrats!

Thanks for your thread about the STRI gauge, it helped a lot in the decision to sell that gauge in the kit...

[e90AW335i]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

Well, its not that simple... the foglight switch runs on 5v and 2v ... there is a 12v signal in that harness that drops to 8v when the lights come on... hence the need for my special handy dandy circuit I am making... The components needed to create this will include capacitors, step up converters, dc-dc regulator, a resistor, a diode and a relay.

And thats AFTER I make sure that the system can handle a sustained 150mA load to power the gauge... I am working hard to make this have options for everyone in the future!

Right now, my goal is to fulfill the current orders with just the standard install wires and tap-ins, as PLANNED. The circuit will be a "v2" thing... since its not really needed, and it would slow things down. I wasn't even going to mention it for this reason...

Man, that sounds like a lot of work. You better make sure you charge for that Rick.....