Hotwiring 101 needed
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
Hotwiring 101 needed
Starting my wiring on the 66. Does not sound like much but today I mounted my solenoid, positive and negative cables, and the alternator wire. Normaly this would take about 5 minutes, but I've relocated my battery onto the frame behind the cab. I did bump the solenoid and the motor turned over. So far so good.
Heres my question. I plan to drive this truck around the yard if nothing else by July 6th. Its my birthday and after working on this thing for a year, I've got to reward myself somehow. If I don't have my wiring done, what is the easiest way to hotwire this baby and get that birthday present? Obviously I need to run the distributor to a 12V source. Could I use a toggle switch to trigger the solenoid and then just flip it off once its started? Would also need some sort of toggle for the disributor I would imagine so I could turn it off.
Thanks for any suggestions. Not really interested in buying the remote start thing from summit. Think I already have a couple toggles laying around.
Heres my question. I plan to drive this truck around the yard if nothing else by July 6th. Its my birthday and after working on this thing for a year, I've got to reward myself somehow. If I don't have my wiring done, what is the easiest way to hotwire this baby and get that birthday present? Obviously I need to run the distributor to a 12V source. Could I use a toggle switch to trigger the solenoid and then just flip it off once its started? Would also need some sort of toggle for the disributor I would imagine so I could turn it off.
Thanks for any suggestions. Not really interested in buying the remote start thing from summit. Think I already have a couple toggles laying around.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 20
From: Nixa
The only concern I would have is that the toggle could handle the amperage running through it for the distributer. Since the amps would be running through it constanly untill you shut it off.
The toggle for the starter should be fine since it is only momentary.
The toggle for the starter should be fine since it is only momentary.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
From the battery+ on the solenoid run a wire to switch1 in your cab run another from switch1 back to the solenoid small post marked "S". From the battery+ on the solenoid run a wire to switch2 in the cab run another from switch2 to the - coil terminal. Your ready to rock have a happy birthday.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Centralia, WA
You didn't mention what type of ignition system you have in your truck, so I'll assume it's points type.
You can use a toggle to run hot to the + side of the coil. The - side goes to the distributor. Don't worry about amp draw, the ignition system doesn't pull much current. However, supplying a full 12v to the coil will burn up the points quicker and may overheat the coil if you run it too long.
I would recommend a pushbutton to activate the starter solenoid instead of a toggle. While a toggle will work, if you accidently hit it while the engine is running bad things can happen.
You can use a toggle to run hot to the + side of the coil. The - side goes to the distributor. Don't worry about amp draw, the ignition system doesn't pull much current. However, supplying a full 12v to the coil will burn up the points quicker and may overheat the coil if you run it too long.
I would recommend a pushbutton to activate the starter solenoid instead of a toggle. While a toggle will work, if you accidently hit it while the engine is running bad things can happen.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 164
From: Central Texas
Now that's a whole 'nuther ballgame. What kind of "HEI" Ford Duraspark, Pertronix, etc? Definetly going to be more involved now over a points setup.
EDIT: I see what looks to be a Mallory distributor in another thread of your build?
EDIT: I see what looks to be a Mallory distributor in another thread of your build?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Benton, AR
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Centralia, WA
I believe that's just as easy. Run a switched hot to the distributor and you're set. The tach wire doesn't need to be connected to anything. I'm not sure which one you have, but if it's the one with the internal coil then it's pretty much self contained.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
Thanks guys. This is my backup plan of course come monday. I have my wiring semi laid out, and the new dakota digital guages arived today. Happy B-day to me. I refused to go out of town this weekend and took off monday, so I have 4 days to giver hell. Hope to get everything ran by monday.
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