I think I found my electrical problem
- Thread starter DadOfTwo
- Start date
DadOfTwo
Member
DadOfTwo
Member
Isn't that it on top of the head
Bob
Actually, it's busy freezing up the throttle crossover linkage thingy. What's the proper name?
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
The year I tought auto mechanics at the Vo-Tec one of the other teachers told the students to put a nail in the fuse box to find the short. Not to smart to burn up wires to find a short. It can be easily done using a flasher and compass. Replace the fuse with a flasher and light bulb, or resistor, then run the compass along the wire harness. The pulse of current will make the compass needle move. Once you go past the short, the current won't be flowing and the compass won't move.
DadOfTwo
Member
Yeah, and I keep thinking "since I have to start over any way..."
bobusnick104
Member
When I read something from Tom Wesenberg, I know I'm going to learn something. On behalf of all the Barners like myself, Thanks.
1930artdeco
Well-known member
Hi Tom,
For us electrically impaired folks could you post a picture of the 'flasher and light bulb'.
Thanks,
Mike
daveymc29
Well-known member
Or spend a bit more and put in a circuit breaker I have been known to create a short and pop a fuse so the circuit breaker saves me going to the store for another box of fuses and also from little side trips to the parts vendors for parts like what you will now require, though it is not stock so a real purist wouldn't like it with a fuse in the system.
jax55
Senior Member
I started with a circuit breaker worked great while I sorted out my electrical system.
Then first time I drove the car it quit due to the breaker failing. Bought another to replace it , it was bad right out of the box. I am going back to fuses. and will put together a flasher for short circuit testing.
Then first time I drove the car it quit due to the breaker failing. Bought another to replace it , it was bad right out of the box. I am going back to fuses. and will put together a flasher for short circuit testing.
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
It's just a flasher in line with a bulb. The reason for the bulb is so it will light in case of a dead short saving the wiring.
A cheap compass will work easier then an expensive liquid filled unit.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
The bulb is to keep the full current of a dead short from going through the flasher contacts. Use a headlight bulb or brake light bulb to give enough amps to make the compass needle deflect. Just wire the bulb in series with a 2 prong flasher and clip it to the fuse holder contacts. In place of the bulb you could use a 1 to 1 1/2 ohm resistor rated at 50 watts. These can be bought on ebay for about $4.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-50W-Alumi...915?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce3484c4b
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DadOfTwo
Member
Thanks for the comments and suggestions!
Definitely going to incorporate a fuse.
On that note, I've got a lot of rewiring to do. Lots of shody electrical splicing done over the years. Plus going to add a second tail light, turn signals, and probably go 12v.
Since I need all new harnesses, I'm weighing the idea of a modern style wiring harness with a hidden but accessible muti-fuse block.
Anyone done it, or seen it done?
Definitely going to incorporate a fuse.
On that note, I've got a lot of rewiring to do. Lots of shody electrical splicing done over the years. Plus going to add a second tail light, turn signals, and probably go 12v.
Since I need all new harnesses, I'm weighing the idea of a modern style wiring harness with a hidden but accessible muti-fuse block.
Anyone done it, or seen it done?
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Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Yea, Hot Rodders do it all the time, modern looking wire and fuse block.
Why the decision to go to 12 volts?
If your heart is set on the hidden fuse block route, may I suggest that you look into using the original style wire that is available from the vendors, using that style and wire in the fuse block.
It's your car to do with as you please.