Wiring accessories to key on position?
April 12th, 2018, 12:53 PM
#1
Joe Ralph
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 685
Wiring accessories to key on position?
I’ve dreaded asking this for some time now as it’s complete newbie question - but - I want to wire up a usb in place of my cigar lighter in a 72 convertible - I am also interested in going to HEI distributor - BUT! - this apparently is so easy a job that every you tube video and post I can find simply “yada yada’s” over the details - they simply say “just wire it to the key on position” my radio is currently a wire wrapped around the end of the glass fuse 🙁 - any good links on a detailed correct way to wire accessories into a 72 GM a body? I have simply just never learned how to do this correctly and neatly - any advise would be greatly appreciated - thanks in advance ~ Joe
Last edited by 72442455; April 12th, 2018 at 12:57 PM. Reason: Typo
April 12th, 2018, 01:15 PM
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 13,738
In the center of the fuse box is a terminal marked IGN which is a switched 12 Volt source. Put a female spade terminal on the HEI battery + wire and connect it there.
For your radio power, there's that switched IGN terminal and a constant power BAT terminal in the center of the fuse box, depending upon which one you need.
If you need to power two things off one of those terminals, use one of these:
For your radio power, there's that switched IGN terminal and a constant power BAT terminal in the center of the fuse box, depending upon which one you need.
If you need to power two things off one of those terminals, use one of these:
Last edited by Fun71; April 12th, 2018 at 01:19 PM.
April 12th, 2018, 01:54 PM
#3
Joe Ralph
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 685
In the center of the fuse box is a terminal marked IGN which is a switched 12 Volt source. Put a female spade terminal on the HEI battery + wire and connect it there.
For your radio power, there's that switched IGN terminal and a constant power BAT terminal in the center of the fuse box, depending upon which one you need.
If you need to power two things off one of those terminals, use one of these:
For your radio power, there's that switched IGN terminal and a constant power BAT terminal in the center of the fuse box, depending upon which one you need.
If you need to power two things off one of those terminals, use one of these:
April 12th, 2018, 02:01 PM
#4
Joe Ralph
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 685
N/m I see that the plug under it is ignition - In my pic does my battery terminal look correct? That spade will plug into that to wire battery direct? And just split the ignition for hei and lighter?
April 12th, 2018, 02:19 PM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,972
I believe if you pull the grey connector off of that terminal, you will be able to put an adapter on it and re-attach the grey one and add one more. There are a couple of styles of adapters, I like this style: https://www.digikey.com/product-deta...8-1-ND/1131814
There are also these which let you tap off of any fuse in the box: https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1495/Fuse-Holders/
There are also these which let you tap off of any fuse in the box: https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1495/Fuse-Holders/
Last edited by RandyS; April 12th, 2018 at 02:24 PM.
April 12th, 2018, 02:47 PM
#6
Joe Ralph
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 685
I believe if you pull the grey connector off of that terminal, you will be able to put an adapter on it and re-attach the grey one and add one more. There are a couple of styles of adapters, I like this style: https://www.digikey.com/product-deta...8-1-ND/1131814
There are also these which let you tap off of any fuse in the box: https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1495/Fuse-Holders/
There are also these which let you tap off of any fuse in the box: https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1495/Fuse-Holders/
April 12th, 2018, 03:21 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dallas-Fort Worth
Posts: 3,113
I installed a USB charging port where the cig lighter was-has a blue LED light for 64 F-85 Pro-Touring build. Have not tried it out yet. I wired this and a bunch of new accessories to a Painless 7 Circuit boss and did not use the original fuse panel.
April 12th, 2018, 03:57 PM
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,972
I would have to agree with what Rob posted. You can tap a little bit from your existing fuse panel (HEI, Aftermarket Radio), but for fans, big amplifiers and such, I would recommend an add-on fuse panel. The add-on can be in the engine bay, like Rob's, or under the dash near the existing one, your choice. Google adding a fuse panel to your existing electrical system.
Last edited by RandyS; April 12th, 2018 at 04:00 PM.
April 12th, 2018, 05:29 PM
#11
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Location: Dallas-Fort Worth
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The 54 year old fuse box and old wiring is still "good" maybe okay? Its nice to have the new 7-circuit boss to take the load off the old fuse box with the added new accessories. So far its wired to the new Old Air Products A/C system, blower motor for the A/C, Flex-A Lite dual Electric fans, 300 watt Sound Stream amp, a marine head unit mounted in the glove box to drive the sound-set up to stream Pandora etc. from my I phone. I-phone needs more juice plug in in the USB port! When I get this buggy on the road its our RV! for the road cruises.
April 12th, 2018, 05:39 PM
#12
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Location: Dallas-Fort Worth
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Few more pictures for you to get you thinking!!..(Olds) 80's Rubicon Sound stream amp bought on Evil-Bay in the original factory shipping box-$90.00 dollars, 5 years ago. Buddy built the boom box with high powered 6X9 speakers for my for my BD.
April 13th, 2018, 05:02 AM
#13
Joe Ralph
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 685
I’m miles away from a decent sound system 😜 - gotta get her moving reliably and safely first - then she needs to get pretty again - but I will probably be picking your brain down the road - I love the idea of the Bluetooth stereo with my iPhone as player - I want to mount an original radio in dash with working lights then hide the Bluetooth set up - i bought the same “blue light” usb cigar charger replacement you have - did you say it has enough power to charge your iPhone? I am going to use your idea of the 7 fuse add on - SOooo much to do - so little time 😩 - mine too will be my rv someday!
Last edited by 72442455; April 13th, 2018 at 05:23 AM. Reason: Typo
April 14th, 2018, 07:57 AM
#15
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Location: Dallas-Fort Worth
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The off-set stripe actually came from dimensions posted somewhere in this Club or Real Olds Power. It was a dealer add-back in 65. My body shop took the dimension's and painted it on, running the strip into the metal part of the dash and out through rear metal window frame area onto the rear deck. The 65 dealer add on was most likely vinyl. I had a plastic OEM very looking radio delete plate for the dash to replace the radio.
April 14th, 2018, 08:13 AM
#16
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Location: Dallas-Fort Worth
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When the time comes to "adding" the goodies, you may think about alternator output. I currently have a 100 amp Power Master alternator. I have not had the car in the street so we will how it goes with all the accessories are on at idle in 100 degree Texas summers. May have to upgrade. And I still need to make or buy a heavier gauge wire from the alternator to the starter. 100 amp alternators should use an 8 gauge wire, I think if I need to move up to a say 130-150 amp I would use a 6 gauge wire. Currently when I had M@H Electric make me a new under hood harness for the HEI, they used stock specs for the alternator wire to the starter.
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