Dillinger1977
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 08:28 AM |
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learning material
anyone have any recommendations for books/websites/anything to do with auto electrics?
the wiring part of the project is looming closer and im clueless about that side of things.
(loom-ing ho ho.. no pun intended!)
[Edited on 19/8/05 by Dillinger1977]
-Rog
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Dusty
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 08:37 AM |
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The Car Builders Handbook Kit Car Electrics by Peter and John Wallage, published by Blueprint Books, 1 Howard Rd, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7JE. 01737
225565. Lots of useful stuff especialy about ford donors.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 08:50 AM |
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Are you buying a loom? Ive just completed a premier loom but complicated the job by also fitting DigiDash2 and full set of savage switches (ive thrown
the Sierra stalks away). i have found the process fairly straight forward. Im not a novice but certainly didnt rate myself as an expert either. I
actually found that doing too much investigation made the job a bit more confused.
Connect a circuit at a time. Do each one properley (no bodges to try and get ahead etc) and you should be OK.
Only problem i found with premier loom was the high beam warning wire was connected to main beam instead of high beam and the hazard flasher had
switched live feed instead of fused permanent live. No great problem to rectify - i highly recommend the premier loom.
I also got a pair of quick release battery post clamps off them at Horragate - top class piece of kit and only £7.
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rick q
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 09:01 AM |
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Have a look at "Car Wiring" on the following site - it breaks it down to the basics : nice and simple
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/phil.bradshaw/INDEX.HTM
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Dillinger1977
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 09:05 AM |
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cheers chaps, i'll look into some of these.
we didnt do electrics at school so im coming at this as a complete novice!
ive got a custom sierra based loom from MNR so things like lights should be catered for. its connecting the r1 loom up thats worrying me!
im thinking about just getting a sparky in when the time comes to wire it up, but i'd like to know more myself in case it goes wrong later!
-Rog
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shortie
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 09:19 AM |
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Personally I'd give it a go yourself before getting a sparky in.
It really is pretty logical albeit time consuming and very frustrating at times.
As long as you start simple and test everything as you go you should be fine, I knew nothing about vehicle wiring before I did mine and I managed to
build the loom from scratch and connect in the Digidash and savage switches and it all works fine.
IMHO it's def worth having a go yourself but remember to keep it all safe and I tested circuits for continuity and tested with a 6v battery
before connecting up the main battery.
Rich.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 09:32 AM |
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I started by wiring the back lights up. Served 2 purposes - gave me a quick success for inspiration and got rid of a lump of wires.
Next up was to identify the dash looms and cable tie them in approx correct position.
Next was to loosely locate the engine loom and start to connect up the obvious bits. Fair do's tho that yours is bec so maybe a touch more
difficult.
Dash wiring was a teaser at first but steady away and one wire at a time saw it done in about a day (albeit a long one).
All connections soldered and heat shrinked where possible. Use crimps if required - correct crimp tool helps. Never use scotchlocks. That was my
formula anyway and it worked a treat.
I didnt use smaller fuses for the initial testing - some components add a high load and will blow small fuses giving you more grief than its worth.
Just take your time and think what could go wrong . chaf / short out and route them so they dont (ie go through a FMEA type analysis in your head
while you are working).
Once you break down the jobs into small manageable chunks you can ask specific questions at that point to help you along if you get stuck. Trust me -
it is not that hard.
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shortie
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 09:51 AM |
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I agree with Darren and once done you will feel you have really achieved something and you will have learnt absolutely loads about auto electrics and
you'll have the added bonus that if something does go wrong you will have a good idea how to fix it!
Rich.
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alfasudsprint
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 10:28 AM |
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Definately DIY, you learn so much for future reference, and you or someone else later will be guessing, how did he do that...I bought Automotive
Electrical Manual from Haynes, its pretty good to learn about how and why systems work, little for the home builder tho!
Good luck, for me patience was tested many mnay times 
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bob
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 11:42 AM |
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A top bookshop i used for informative books was chaters in isleworth,who just happen to be a 2 minute walk from thinkautomotive which is handy.
http://www.chaters.co.uk/splash.cfm?CFID=1124588&CFTOKEN=22279190
[Edited on 19/8/05 by bob]
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mac1
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 11:48 AM |
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Darrenw and Shortie, I'm proud of you both !!
Mark
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shortie
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 12:01 PM |
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I should of course mention that there was many many phone calls to a man who knows!! aka the boys at MAC1 motorsports!
Cheers MAC1, couldn't have done it without you!
Rich.
P.S. Stickers???
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chrisf
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 01:04 PM |
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I too am doing my own loom. Like you, I knew very little about automotive electronics, and it was very intimidating for me. Many people on this forum
helped me along the way.
I'm at the point now where I've bumped the engine, but have not tried a full start--hopfully this weekend. Once you get into it, it gets
pretty easy. I used a P-Touch lable maker to lable everything.
I would agree with the others: have a go. It's clean, relaxing work.
--Chris
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JoelP
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| posted on 19/8/05 at 03:33 PM |
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yup, fun and easy! but dont make the mistake of doing everything in one colour. If you take a few weeks off (or even a year  ) its impossible to tell
whats what, and might prompt a full rewire eventually!
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DarrenW
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| posted on 20/8/05 at 11:49 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by shortie
I should of course mention that there was many many phone calls to a man who knows!! aka the boys at MAC1 motorsports!
Cheers MAC1, couldn't have done it without you!
Rich.
P.S. Stickers???
Ahahhhh!!!! I neglected to mention that i too 'used' Mark to good effect when adapting the premier loom to power up the digidash and
savages's. I have read many posts where people use dummy power supplies and lower rated fuses etc etc. I did none of these. just followed
instructions, applied common sense and logic and it all worked first time. Thre is no rocket science to the wiring, it just takes time, concentration
and patience. I strongly suggest starting with a good loom (Premier) purchased from a man who can advise (Mark) with a little help from your mates
(us). Iam so proud of my efforts - even the hazards were a piece of waste water! The savages look so cool, the digidash is just a pure master
stroke.
Give it a go - you wont regret it.
[Edited on 20/8/05 by DarrenW]
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Tigger
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| posted on 23/8/05 at 08:52 AM |
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Wired my car from scratch, nothing too it.
Try this site
Very useful
Tigger
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