My 52 GMC Build

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

That is very clean! What are the 10 relays controlling?

Thanks AD Well first I'm not using the key to start the truck. I'll take a pick of what I'm using. So top 5 relays are: IGN any thing I want powered with key: Amp, 12v power plug ect. Glow plugs, Left and Right door poppers, spare. Bottom 5: Starter, Lights, Fuel: anything related to motor running: fuel pump, Efan ect, ACC: all the secondary parts of truck running like transmission controller, gauges, ect. Then my heater. I am using a 30A electric heater 6000btu instead of coolant. Hope that makes sense.

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Chance48

I need to learn a lot about this stuff. Why use relays in place of fuses? If a relay is a switch, what is the difference in powering a box full of fuses with one switch(key switch) or using a bunch of relays with fuse links? I need some quick education. I'm googling what I can but there is nothing specific to auto, or explanations of what and why? I'm kinda dude that needs to know why I'm doing something. Any of your help would be greatly appreciated.

Chance

Originally Posted by Chance48

So a relay powers another circuit from an existing circuit. Why not just have a separate circuit for what ever that relay is running with a fuse for it? Is this to reduce the amount of fused circuits?

Is this why some vehicles have two fuse boxes? Fuses protecting relayed circuits?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Chance48

I understand the solenoid. So there are different size relays(amperage)? Lowers, I'm sorry to beat your thread like this. I'm trying desperately to wrap my brain around this. I know nothing besides bare basics of auto wiring. Everything besides relays, haha. Which I'm getting the idea that they are an important an necessary part of the system. I've never had a relay go bad, never even had to think about a relay, I'm ashamed to say, I guess.

So say I want to wire in an e-fan. How would I use the relay or wire this setup up using a relay I should say? Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by Chance48

Ok, lol...I got all nervous when I seen all those relays. I you tubed my butt off and got a general idea of it and how to wire them. As usual, I'm a long ways away from this in my build but the wiring is one of my largest concerns and gets me worried. I learned a lot tonight and my kind is at ease for now.

Chance

Sorry for the delay Chance. No I'm not using relays instead of fuses, I have 20 fused circuits. So most 12v switches are rated for 10A-20A I don't like putting 10A through a 10A switch. More like 2-5A through a 10A switch. So in comes a relay, much easier to change a relay too. A relay uses a small amount of power say 2A to switch a larger amount of power say 30-40A in a typical cube relay like what I'm using. Same as the starter solenoid on a car say 5A to spin your 300A starter. I am using more relays than I need to, partly because of how I am turning the truck on and part because overkill doesn't hurt. Don't worry about the wiring ask me or any other of the guys on here anytime. Hope that helped. Bob

[Chance48]

Thanks lowers, I've been on a research mission and studied up, a lot! I will need help and will be asking, thanks man.

Chance

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Originally Posted by lower50's

No I'm not on Instagram and I have not seen it. Please post

Here you go... posted by stanceiseverythingcom
-

[lower50's]

Thanks John

This is my starter sw. I built it out of the original cable leaver that actuated the 2 speed rear end that my truck had originally. Now you just push and it actuates the sw under the dash.
These switches will be to turn the truck on. Upper hole will be for headlights.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Thanks AD Well first I'm not using the key to start the truck. I'll take a pick of what I'm using. So top 5 relays are: IGN any thing I want powered with key: Amp, 12v power plug ect. Glow plugs, Left and Right door poppers, spare. Bottom 5: Starter, Lights, Fuel: anything related to motor running: fuel pump, Efan ect, ACC: all the secondary parts of truck running like transmission controller, gauges, ect. Then my heater. I am using a 30A electric heater 6000btu instead of coolant. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks Lower, it does make sense. I like the concept and flexibility it gives you as well as diagnostic / repairability if needed. No searching all over for a relay.

The starter button is way cool....reminds me of some of our heavy equipment starting.

[Katrina/10]

I'd like to see some more info on your heater when you get to that part.

[Chance48]

Nice, I like that starter button. And...I'm interested in your heater option also.

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I'd like to see some more info on your heater when you get to that part.

Originally Posted by Chance48

Nice, I like that starter button. And...I'm interested in your heater option also.

Here is the heater I am using. It is 6"X 4"X 5". Since the truck will be a spring, summer, fall truck I mainly need it for defog the window. I will be making up some ducting for the end of it to attach the defroster tubes. I think it will be mounted by the fire wall on the trans hump. Nice thing is I can put it anywhere.

http://www.my12voltstore.com/12_Volt.../sa12-3000.htm

[lower50's]

Tonight I got the electrical panel mounted to the fire wall

[joedoh]

clean wiring is a joy to troubleshoot!

[99 to Life]

that heater looks awesome, def something to think about. Let us know how it works and sounds. I spent hours routing my heater hose and getting coolant all over me. 1st heater/ac unit I had was garbage, so I had to replace it. Ever since I hooked up my heater I now can't seem to get an air pocket out of the system, either that or ironically my temp gauge is malfunctioning. anyway, I like the fact that this is a USA brand and they have some confidence in their product.

Nice panels

[Henney]

Lookin killer. What's on the far left of your electrical panel? Are you planning to put a cover over it?

[Jay92]

Excited to see this truck out and about this summer! I had a shop in Breslau (beside the airport) up until April when I moved to London.

[RockinKees]

That looks really clean!
Now I know for sure I have to make a new fusepanel....

Nice little heater too!

[47 Fasttoys]

High quality looking job on the wiring Lower. Make that 3X or 4X on the heater deal. The one in my '46 is a POS and I'm looking for an original to rebuild or a quailty alternative.
Rob

[65sub]

Great heater idea. I'll save that site for later

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

that heater looks awesome, def something to think about. Let us know how it works and sounds. I spent hours routing my heater hose and getting coolant all over me. 1st heater/ac unit I had was garbage, so I had to replace it. Ever since I hooked up my heater I now can't seem to get an air pocket out of the system, either that or ironically my temp gauge is malfunctioning. anyway, I like the fact that this is a USA brand and they have some confidence in their product.

Nice panels

Ya since my exhaust is in the way of any stock heater, I was looking aftermarket anyways. I hooked it up when I got it. I'd say it works similar to the high low of a 110V house heater for heat. Fan was quiet and moved a good amount of air. I would recommend so far.

Originally Posted by Henney

Lookin killer. What's on the far left of your electrical panel? Are you planning to put a cover over it?

Thanks. Far left is my glow plug relay timer, usually on the motor. I'm thinking I will put some smoked lexan over the lower portion.

Originally Posted by Jay92

Excited to see this truck out and about this summer! I had a shop in Breslau (beside the airport) up until April when I moved to London.

Oh it will be out and all about.

Originally Posted by RockinKees

That looks really clean!
Now I know for sure I have to make a new fusepanel....

Nice little heater too!

Thanks Kees

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

High quality looking job on the wiring Lower. Make that 3X or 4X on the heater deal. The one in my '46 is a POS and I'm looking for an original to rebuild or a quailty alternative.
Rob

Thanks 47

Originally Posted by 65sub

Great heater idea. I'll save that site for later

Thanks I figure for the small amount of time it will be used, it's a much better option. Also I have a rebuilt 110A altinator.

[Chance48]

Ah sweet, that heater should heat that cab fine if it's sealed up good. Wiring looks legit. I'm still being a puss just thinking about my wiring, haha.

[Katrina/10]

Thanks for the link on the heater, I think it may work for me. A few years ago, I bought one of those heaters that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and it put out very little heat.

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Thanks for the link on the heater, I think it may work for me. A few years ago, I bought one of those heaters that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and it put out very little heat.

N.P. They have different sizes so what ever will work.

[lower50's]

Wow wiring takes forever and you don't get much to show for it. On Friday I made a new glow plug wire harness. Took 2.5 hrs for basically a piece of 8ga wire with 8 bullet connectors. Today I made the wire harness for the front of the motor: fuel on, tps, temp, alt.

[JJorgensen52]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Wow wiring takes forever and you don't get much to show for it. On Friday I made a new glow plug wire harness. Took 2.5 hrs for basically a piece of 8ga wire with 8 bullet connectors. Today I made the wire harness for the front of the motor: fuel on, tps, temp, alt.
Attachment 1486841

So true, and making it neat takes even more time! Looking good, though.

[99 to Life]

I can firmly back you up on that wiring takes forever. Looming all the wires, heat shrink and making it neat. 60 hrs into a full custom wire job with bags isn't far off.

[Chance48]

Lookin good man!