Adding electrics - good practice

[yandy]

Hi all,

I'm putting in a stealthy electric washer pump (mounted inside, as close as possible to the washer line inlet in the bulkhead).

We've all seen badly patched wiring mods before, and I can think of various quick and dirty ways of doing it. What though would be considered best practice for such an activity? In particular, where should I be aiming to take a positive feed from, and attach the earth?

Early +2 with alternator conversion; two fuses on the bulkhead just before the loom disappears inside.

Any advice or opinions appreciated (except 'don't do it' please, practicality mods are good in my book - they're what will keep the car going).

Thanks,

Andy

[peterako]

I tend to take the live feed from the soleniod (depending on whether you want ignition control or not) and earth to chassis in front.

eg. I have put relays in for my head/driving lights.

To do this I have put a new fuse box (small 6 fuse holder) in the engine bay, driver's side on wheel arch.

The live wires come from the solenoid to the fuse box and thereafter to the lights (via relays switched by the old headlight wires).

The earths are connected to the earth point on my passenger side engine mount.

Choose the right gauge wire and fuses

Peter (one day all my car will be rewired )

[yandy]

Thanks for the advice Peter.

And you've conveniently moved onto my next project of relaying the headlamps. I belatedly noticed last night (while still trying to get them to drop down properly) they are halogen - a tweak I was planning anyway - but not noticably relayed. Something to get on with while I still have switches!

Where did you source the relays and the fuse box?

Cheers,

Andy

[Frank Howard]

Andy,

Chances are your headlights are relayed already.

[yandy]

That's what I'm hoping, but didn't spot anything obvious at either end at first glance and haven't delved about in the nooks and crannys specifically looking for them yet.

I understand the base of the dip-switch lights up eventually if they're not there - a handy feature!

[peterako]

I concur with Frank.

Yours are probably relayed already.

If not, you'll find out one night on a dark twisty road.....when they spontaniously turn off

I stole my relayes from a written off Nissan 200 SX.

Bought the fuse box in my local motor factors, you can get the relays there too...and wire and fuses etc.

The Nissan relay cases are 'industrial strength'

Take care,
Peter

[stugilmour]

If you would prefer new stuff, I bought a bunch of wiring stuff from these guys. Very good service, and have all the wiring colours open stock by the metre. Not an issue if you only need a few things to go local. Web site is good to see what is easily available though.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... mepage.php

[hatman]

Deleted (wrong end of stick grasped. )