Wiring Help
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Wiring Help
I just replaced the under dash wiring harness on my '56 F100. The harness I bought from Sac. Vintage Ford is really nice. There are three things that didn't come with it and I need some help. First the heater wires weren't part of the kit and I don't know where to hook up the power for the heater motor from the under dash switch. Second, I need to find a power source for the radio and although I don't think I will ever use it, the lighter as well. There is an accessory terminal on the ignition switch but that's where the wiper motor gets it's juice. Where can I hook up these three accessories. I'm making progress but it's slow.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by seawulff
I just replaced the under dash wiring harness on my '56 F100. The harness I bought from Sac. Vintage Ford is really nice. There are three things that didn't come with it and I need some help. First the heater wires weren't part of the kit and I don't know where to hook up the power for the heater motor from the under dash switch. Second, I need to find a power source for the radio and although I don't think I will ever use it, the lighter as well. There is an accessory terminal on the ignition switch but that's where the wiper motor gets it's juice. Where can I hook up these three accessories. I'm making progress but it's slow.
Vern
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Nov 30, 2005 at 07:59 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I'd suggest running one auxilliary accessory feed off the ignition switch. Use 12 ga STRANDED wire with a 20 A inline fuse to feed a small terminal block (available at any Radio Shack) attach it under the dash in any convenient place where it's unlikely to have any metal come in contact with it. Attach the wire to an end terminal and use the metal jumpers to feed down the line. Attach each accessory to one of the terminal screws with a ring or u shaped terminal and put an inline fuse in each line as was suggested. Much neater and less likely to cause later problems than trying to put a handfull of wires on the back of the switch.
Run your lighter feed off the battery terminal of the switch if you want it hot all the time.
Run your lighter feed off the battery terminal of the switch if you want it hot all the time.
Last edited by AXracer; Nov 30, 2005 at 06:33 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Is it safe to run a wire from the ACC pole on the ignition switch to all those accessories(radio, heater, lighter) since I don't have a separate fuse box. I could run the radio and the lighter from the BATT pole on the ignition which would make them always hot. Thanks for the help.
Chris
Chris
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Yes, but use an inline fuse in the feed wire. That's the same as having a fuse box, they just aren't all in one place.
I believe I have an extra small fuse panel (6 fuses IIRC) at home that would work for you, but I won't be able to look for it until Sunday.
I believe I have an extra small fuse panel (6 fuses IIRC) at home that would work for you, but I won't be able to look for it until Sunday.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
It's easier than running wires with inlines. One feed to the fuse block and a line to each item off a fuse. I can give you very easy to follow directions.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
I would not run the heater from the accessory position. You can not get heat unless the engine is running, and, if left on, it will quickly drain the battery.
Also, the lighter is a high current device - can be as much as 30 amps. That is why it is not run through the ignition switch in stock applications. I would use heavy wires from any battery source.
Of course, in today's world it is more apt to be used as a power outlet for your phone or laptop computer. In that case it would not hurt to use smaller wires switched by the ignition switch, but I would not install the lighter in the socket - (just use the socket as an aux. power source.)
Also, the lighter is a high current device - can be as much as 30 amps. That is why it is not run through the ignition switch in stock applications. I would use heavy wires from any battery source.
Of course, in today's world it is more apt to be used as a power outlet for your phone or laptop computer. In that case it would not hurt to use smaller wires switched by the ignition switch, but I would not install the lighter in the socket - (just use the socket as an aux. power source.)
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