Instrument Lighting Rheostat

[syncrodoug]

I wish to fit a Mitsubishi Pajero rheostat, I'm somewhat confused by the three terminals the unit has and I can't make sense of the resistance reading I get from my multimeter.
Would be must grateful for enlightenment.
Doug

[AngeloEvs]

What you using it for? On a typical unit two terminals will read a fixed resistance (e.g a 10 ohm Rheostat) and will not alter when you rotate the shaft, The third terminal will vary between 10 and 0 ohms ohms when you connect the multimeter from it to either of the others and rotate the shaft, this oone is the wiper that feeds what ever it is you're feeding and either of the others connect to the input source voltage, well usually anyway...............

[syncrodoug]

Thanks for the info.
I'll be using it to dim the instrument lighting.
I've basically transplanted a 1.9 PD diesel engine and the entire loom into my DOKA, at the moment I'm 'refining' the dash layout have decided to relocate all the switches to a central consul between the seats. The dimmer from the Passat/Golf is combined withthe headlight range control is an awkward shape to mount so I've opted fro the Mitsubishi rheostat as its's cylindrical and fits in a 12mm hole!
Doug