The Ford Barn

38coop · 03-31-2015, 11:18 AM

Hello everyone. I have been a long time follower of the Ford Barn and now I need some help. I am in the process of wiring my 49 Ford project car and have some questions. I am using an original style wiring harness and original switches. I am also converting to 12volts. I have a fuse type accessory block that I want to use for my electric fuel pump and electric windshield wipers and anything else I might add later. What would be the best way to supply power to this block. I was told to use 10ga wire to supply the power. Any ideas would help. Thanks.

JSeery · 03-31-2015, 11:24 AM

A lot of wiring help on this site: http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/hot-rod-wiring.html 10ga most likely ok, but might consider going to 12ga for the main power feed.

Ford used 10ga on the original system and it was 6v, so should be OK, but you are adding additional loads.

Lazy Jake · 03-31-2015, 11:33 AM

10ga is what I would use along with a 14ga fusible link to protect the wiring. Relays everywhere you can put them. I took a "relay bar" out of a late model, mounted it under the dash, and ran relays for the headlights, fan, fuel pump, neutral safety switch, etc. If you do a search, there is a lot of good information here in the Barn.

40cpe · 03-31-2015, 11:33 AM

The accessories you mention need to be switched with the ignition switch. I'm not familiar with the '49 switch, but the earlier switches didn't do well with higher loads. I would use the ignition switch to trigger a relay feeding the fuse panel. Ten gauge wire should be plenty.

joe plumber · 03-31-2015, 05:00 PM

6 volt wire is almost always heavier than 12volt wire

JSeery · 03-31-2015, 05:05 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by joe plumber

6 volt wire is almost always heavier than 12volt wire

Yep, carries twice the amps of 12v.

4t8v8 · 03-31-2015, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cpe

The accessories you mention need to be switched with the ignition switch. I'm not familiar with the '49 switch, but the earlier switches didn't do well with higher loads. I would use the ignition switch to trigger a relay feeding the fuse panel. Ten gauge wire should be plenty.

Good advice. Run your main power from the battery, 10 or 12 ga, whichever you like best, to a 30 amp or larger relay. Switch it with the ignition circuit. Works great. Fuse, fuse fuse!!!!!

rotorwrench · 03-31-2015, 06:34 PM

The wire gauge always depends on the system voltage and the amperage required by the electrical appliance or accessory. I imagine either of those items could run an 18 gauge wire or larger if you prefer. At 12-volts, you would need a 10 amp circuit protective device and it could carry as far as 8 feet of length for that amperage with 18 gauge. It can carry 15 amps if the circuit is less than 4 feet long. A larger wire will need a larger protective device.

The ignition switches for the mid century Ford & Mercury cars already have a lot of wires connected to them so you may need to install a seperate switch for the fuel pump and the wiper would need its own dedicated switch too.

cmbrucew · 03-31-2015, 07:21 PM

You can print this out. Handy to have.
Bruce

03-31-2015, 11:18 AM	#1
38coop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 180	Wiring Help Hello everyone. I have been a long time follower of the Ford Barn and now I need some help. I am in the process of wiring my 49 Ford project car and have some questions. I am using an original style wiring harness and original switches. I am also converting to 12volts. I have a fuse type accessory block that I want to use for my electric fuel pump and electric windshield wipers and anything else I might add later. What would be the best way to supply power to this block. I was told to use 10ga wire to supply the power. Any ideas would help. Thanks.

03-31-2015, 11:33 AM	#3
Lazy Jake Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 39	Re: Wiring Help 10ga is what I would use along with a 14ga fusible link to protect the wiring. Relays everywhere you can put them. I took a "relay bar" out of a late model, mounted it under the dash, and ran relays for the headlights, fan, fuel pump, neutral safety switch, etc. If you do a search, there is a lot of good information here in the Barn.

03-31-2015, 11:33 AM	#4
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Wiring Help The accessories you mention need to be switched with the ignition switch. I'm not familiar with the '49 switch, but the earlier switches didn't do well with higher loads. I would use the ignition switch to trigger a relay feeding the fuse panel. Ten gauge wire should be plenty.

03-31-2015, 05:00 PM	#5
joe plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 820	Re: Wiring Help 6 volt wire is almost always heavier than 12volt wire

03-31-2015, 06:34 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: Wiring Help The wire gauge always depends on the system voltage and the amperage required by the electrical appliance or accessory. I imagine either of those items could run an 18 gauge wire or larger if you prefer. At 12-volts, you would need a 10 amp circuit protective device and it could carry as far as 8 feet of length for that amperage with 18 gauge. It can carry 15 amps if the circuit is less than 4 feet long. A larger wire will need a larger protective device. The ignition switches for the mid century Ford & Mercury cars already have a lot of wires connected to them so you may need to install a seperate switch for the fuel pump and the wiper would need its own dedicated switch too.