Thread: Whose wiring did you use?

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Originally Posted by firebird77clone

I am planning to just make my own with some nice stranded single conductor. Maybe even use several colors just for fun.

I just don't really see the need of spending hundreds of dollars to put in a basic electrical circuit. I mean really, the hot wire splits off to ten or so fuses, and each fuse feeds a circuit... how dam hard is that? Or am I missing something? Tell me now, cause I would rather know BEFORE I do the project!

Well, yes, you do want to use stranded for sure, not solid core wire like house wiring would be..........it needs to flex. As for the cost, it gets expensive. I have always done my own wiring because I used to get cost on marine grade wiring supplies and wire. When I left that business I no longer get the discount and was shocked at how much this stuff retails for, so a kit is looking better all the time. By the time you add in the fuse or circuit breaker panel, lots of different colors of wire, terminal ends, butt connectors, shrink tubing, etc, etc, you will have at least as much in components as a decent kit.

You will be amazed how many feet of wire you use and how many wire ties and terminal ends are used also. As for how hard it is, check out the maze under my T seat, and I have NO accessories like radio, ac, cruise, and only 3 gauges. This little project took two of us 4 days to do and we have done a few.

Don

I buy all my parts a swap meets, and form the internet, I buy some here and some there, Heck I have all time it takes me to build the car to where I need any of the wiring, That way I don't need to come up with all the money at once, and I can get the right stuff for my need.
All my fuse panels are removeable, and the wires stay in the car.
It's easy for me to wire a car, when I was younger I had to build everything, or did without, not run some where, and pay to have it made, or have them do it, I even trade work for work, for finishing body & paint. (I never had a place to do it) I'm glad I learned that way, To change what Dave say's " Anyone can have a Hot Rod, but it takes a real man/ woman to build it themself." But with that said, there is alot of people that just don't know how or want to know, and then you have to pay the fiddler the money.
If you can in stall the wiring kit, then you can make/fix it youself also, just ask questions.
I don't use crimp-on's anywhere only temp if I do, I solder everything with shrinkwrap.
I have no rat's nests, theres no need for one.


Pat

I used American Autowire, much easier and faster than the Painless kit I used previously.

That has always been one big debate, to solder connections or to crimp them on. I crimp, and the reason is I came out of the marine industry and soldered joints are a no-no on boats. The ABYC specs (American Boat and Yacht Council) prohibit soldered joints because soldering creates a hard spot in the wire where it can fracture from vibration. Also, not everyone is a good solderer. If done improperly it can cause cold soldered joints, and when you are laying under a dash trying to do it the potential for one or more bad connections is there.

Now, I am not saying soldering is bad on a car, lots of pro builders do that exclusively and say it is the correct way to do it. All I am saying is that a properly done crimped connection, using quality wire and terminal ends, done using a GOOD crimp tool (not the $ 5 auto parts store stripper/crimper) can be every bit as good and should not be ruled out. I have only crimped for the past 20 years or so and every connection on my '27 is still very functional. Those were done maybe 17 years ago or so.

Both methods are fine if done PROPERLY.

Don

I used Ron Francis in my last two projects. His kits have great wires, properly sized, and very well marked. The panels are not pre-termnated. I won't use a pre-terminated panel. However, I'm starting to look for other sources. His best kit only has two relays. With electric fans, fuel pumps, over-drive controls, halogen lights, etc., that's not enough. So, you end up attaching Francis' board to another board to attach extra stuff. Also, he doesn't use wiring diagrams for the most part - just written instructions.

I have four relays in my '34 - and Don has four in his bucket. There needs to be a good way to integrate extra relays without tacking them on another board.

I used the EZ wire 21 circuit in my Buick. I have to say it was very simple to install. Mount the box, run one harness under the dash, one out front and one to the rear. Every wire is marked clearly. I have noticed the radio does not work on accy and the fuel pump runs on accy. It may be that I installed the wiring on the ignition switch wrong. I just havent looked yet. I also noticed the power window circuit is always hot. I dont think I could have done anything to cause that.

I have to agree, EZ Wire is one of the better ones, used it in my `29 , very
simple

I've made my own and used Ron Francis.Just as "budget sensitive" to buy a kit as to make one imo. the 3 Ron Francis set ups I used are still trouble free after all these years / miles.

Have a painless in my 69 pickup, and one in the 46. Not cheap, but nice stuff. Bonus points for made in Texas

I used the ezwire kit and was very happy, and ill be using one again this time around.

http://www.kwikwire.com/kwindex.html
Used 5 of them and 1 RF. KW is much cheaper and great quality and easy to deal with

I used a painless kit in my 86 Chevy 4x4, wasn't too bad, just a couple of confusing spots. I will be putting one in Daddy's C-10 in the next couple of months, but I'm going to try a Ron Francis kit for my camaro. I like the looks of the kit, and I've heard good things about them.

my 2 pennies

Adam

Originally Posted by glenn33

You might want to check out the kits that we're building. All hand built with American made components.
www.Rebel-Wire.com

That's what I bought. I haven't installed it yet but from what I can tell it is a nice set up. Everything is clearly marked & it has more circuits then I'll use. Plus it's made right here in the midwest & in my own state. I gotta keep them tax $$$ working for me ...joe

I used Centech and was very pleased. Excellent customer service.

I used Ron Francis in my 34. I think that the previous owner before me used any scrap of wire he could find. It was a Haywire fuse unit with assorted colored spaghetti running all different directions. Had black grounds, red grounds, greeen grounds. Had way too many add on in line fuses. What a mess. Haywire wasn't to blame, it was the idiot who wired it.