Hey guys, have tried to use the search function but "No topics match your critera" or whatever it says so say hello to a new thread:

I'm just after a good one or two books on auto electrical basics. I have never done any wiring and just want to read up a bit so that I don't post hundreds of stupid questions on here annoying many people in the process.

I'm going to get some guages for my car soonish (within the next 10 years) and want to wire them in myself. The reason I'm after a book is because I want to know how to do it properly (I'm sure I could bodge something but don't want to). This is also to keep Mr 40 year old Lucus happy.

I want to know how to wire in fuses and the like so that I don't let anymore smoke out of my wiring!

Cheers, Nick

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Here are a few links I found with a quick search on the net

http://www.moparfins.com/Repairs/Electrical/Auto_basic_wiring_tips.htm

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/0602sc_successfully_wiring_a_car/

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wfc1.htm

Some other points:

Follow wire colours for the vehicle - Brown - ignition 12+V, Black earth etc (depends on the vehicle)

Get a manufactures wiring diagram - some times it saves you running wires as what you may want to do may already have been run, just not connected.

Wire size and strand count is important - the thickness of insulation is also important.


As a basic guide I use the following as a rule for wire size and amp draw over short runs of wire - using Hella or equiv brand wire.

10 A - 3mm wire
15 A - 4 mm wire
30 A - 6 mm wire

Generally fuse the positive side of the wire system with the correct type of fuse in the correct type pf fuse holder.

Try and take power from the ignition - so when you turn off the key the power stops - this does not apply to clocks and alike - when you have to re set the thing after each power shut down.

Some devices like mobile phones and radios draw a small amount of power and will flatten your battery over time - something to consider.

Hook up things in stages - it makes it easier to fault find when things go wrong.

Disconnect the battery when working on live wires!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure a ton of other people can add a lot more!

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It's not a mini, but still a bloody lot of fun! (and keeps me poor)

Rememebr first basic rule of thumb is RED = POSITIVE, BLACK = NEGATIVE and maybe GREEN = Earth- When installing generic manufacturer items like gauges they may use red and black to hook up things like globes. When connecting wires ALWAYS connect RED to RED and BLACK to BLACK (or RED to Postive supply and BLACK to a negative point )

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Maybe thats true if you were wiring a house in 1950 and aftermarket gauges may be wired like that but it doesn't work on Minis.

Black is always earth (+ve on a positive earth car) and red is the feed to the park lights (-ve on a +ve earth car). Green is for accessories fused via the ignition switch (again either +ve or -ve depending on battery polarity)

There is a standard wiring colour code for British cars, which Minis conform to. Get the colour code and you don't even need a wiring diagram, though a good one does help.

Tim

Do a Google search for "Lucas Wiring Colour Guide" and you should come up with some sites. I downloaded a guide quite some time ago but don't have the URL. Sorry. Most if not all British type cars use the Lucas wiring colours and its best to stick with this to avoid confusion later on.
If in doubt as to wiring size always go for the larger size wire. The bigger the cross section the more amps it can carry and the less voltage drop you incur. This is a good thing.

RonR

I was refering to basic DC (Battery powered) electronics - not Mini wiring - the sort of code OEM manufacturers should adhere to for basic wiring.

By the way they still use red,black green to wire houses -

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

first thing to do is get rid of the standard mini fuse box b4 you add any new accesorys go to super crap and get a couple of there 6 fuse box's it is a realativly easy operation i'll get some foto's for you to paruse
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

Not a bad link with colours for the mini

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/lucas-colours.html

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It's not a mini, but still a bloody lot of fun! (and keeps me poor)