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Electrical 101

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Baz

Baz

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When it comes to electrics, I'm an F. Clueless.

Here's what I would like to accomplish....
I'd like to wire in somehow, my satellite radio, it's currently being run off the cigarette lighter, but I'd like to free that up and hard wire this thing to eliminate wires, and to allow me to use the lighter for more important things, like an electric razor.

I understand I have 4 fuses right? 2 are spare?
There is a fuse inside the adapter for the satellite radio, if that matters.

What do I need to do?
Please bear in mind that I don't know an amp from volt, or what colour wire does what, so instructions in their most simplest form, would be very much appreciated.
:thankyousign:
 
My take is you ought to run a lead to the fuse holder to one of the green wire terminals for the power side, a ground from a lug on one of the guages. If it needs a "constant" source for "memory" (and I suspect it does), connect that to the headlamp swithc "hot" supply. USE real connectors, too. NOT those poxy ScotchLok pieces of drek.
 
Barry,

Where are you planning on mounting / using the satellite radio in the car? I'll assume it will sit near the shifter / radio console. I'd remove the console, tee into the fused, always on (hot) wire for the radio and the ground for the radio and run that to another cigarette lighter or proprietary hard wire adapter for the satellite unit.

Lets assume that the radio in the car now has been upgraded from the factory unit and there are two power wires going to it, one that is always on for the clock / radio presets and a second that is switched on with the key so that the radio shuts off when you shut the car off / turn off the accessories. Take a test light or volt meter, put one lead to the chassis / ground / earth and the second to the power leads to the radio. with the key out / in the off position the wire that has power is the "always on" feed for the clock / station preset memory. Splice into this wire with a piece of 18 awg wire using good quality connectors, preferable solder but at a minimum crimp on. Do not use "scotch lock" or other self piercing type connectors. This wire will then feed the new power cable or cigarette lighter. If you don't need constant power to the satellite unit then you can find the "switched leg" / power wire that is controlled by the key switch by checking the other wires to teh radio while turning the key on and off. For a ground, find a good clean area on the firewall wear a ring connector can be used and use the same size wire as the hot. To be proper it should be black for ground / earth.

The fuse on the satellite radio will protect after the fuse but not before it so that is why you really want to tap into a prefused source like the radio. You could go back to the fuse holder but I prefer to make the modification locally for a simple thing like this, and it is on the radio wiring so it will be easy to troubleshoot later.

If you don't have a modern radio in it now and need help finding a fused always on source let us know. Stay away from the hazard switch feed though because that is unfused.

I hope this helps.
 
Chris!
To summarize then.... I have a modern stereo, and because I always leave the satellite device attached, I would look for the switched/key wire. Splice that (NOT with ScotchBlock drek) and run that to the device.
Run a ground to the firewall and I'm golden?
Awesome!
Thanks guys, I'll try it out this weekend (if my battery has any juice left in it)!
 
Aye, that should solve your prob. Power to switch terminal on your ign so radio is only on when power is on.
 
You know, I bought this book, 'MGB Electrical Systems' by Rick Astley (NOT the bad 80's singer) and I got lost after the first couple of pages.
I'm glad there are people here who understand.
 
It is really simple, just think of it as water pipes mostly.
 
I added a nice upgrade to Bugsy. Since we don't have an accessory switch I added a little mini Single Pole Double Throw(SPDT) Switch mounted under the left side of the dash with a little hole drilled through the bottom of the dash support bracket

There are 3 poles on the bottom of a SPDT Switch. The center is common so if switch is pointed to the left the Left and Center Pole are Connected. Point to the Right and Center and Right are connected.

I connected power going to the Radio/CD to the Center Pole. On one side I connected power to a switched wire that goes on when the ignition key is turned on. The other side I connected to an always Hot power source. So if I'm in the garage and want to listen to the radio, I reach in and flip the switch and power is sent to the radio. When I'm done, switch goes back to the default position and radio goes on when ignition key is turned. All circuits are fused for protection using simple in line plastic fuse holders. This setup has worked weel for me for years and years.
 
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