Custom Auto Electrickery
Chapter 1 Electrickery
This chapter describes the basic content
of this book. This book starts with a tutorial on the
basic building blocks of an automotive electrical system.
From the basics, the reader can then jump to the main
components of an auto electrical system, such as the
Starting System, the Charging System, the Ignition System
and from there to descriptions and examples of Electronic
Engine Control. The reader is also introduced the auto
electronics use in today's cars, including factory Engine
Management Systems (Delco, Ford) and after-market
programmable EMS (Halltech, Motec, etc). This book will
also describe the fundamentals of car audio/entertainment,
lighting and instrumentation, power windows and doors and
wiring these modern systems in a Hot Rod or Custom. From
this introduction, readers will be able to jump to the
sections they are most interested in.
Chapter 2 Custom Auto Electrical - the
Basics
The purpose of this section is to
provide sufficient information, in a non-technical
language, for the enthusiast to confidently embark on
their own auto electrical project. Rather than show a step
by step guide to wiring a car, this section provides the
basis for the reader to be able to design and build a
wiring system by themselves. The topics include:
 | Automotive Electricity |
 | Electrical Circuits |
 | Series and Parallel Circuits |
 | Circuit Protection |
 | Fuses, Circuit Breakers, Fusible
Links, Maxi Fuse |
 | Switches, Relays and Solenoids |
Chapter 3 Starting Systems
Dealing with a starting system in a Hot
Rod or Custom car is not always as straight forward as it
seems. It may not be appropriate to use the factory
starting system in a modified engine bay, where
clearances, engine compression and temperatures vary from
the factory installation. Topics include:
 | Starter Motor |
 | Starter Motor Components |
 | Operation |
 | Starter Motor Types |
Chapter 4 The Charging System
Advances in battery and alternator
technology have been necessary to satisfy the high
electrical consumption typical of modern cars. Engine
Management, Electronic Fuel Injection, electrically
operated devices such as cooling fans and water pumps, air
conditioning, etc, all contribute to large electrical
demands.
 | Battery and Battery Selection |
 | Trunk Mounted Batteries |
 | Alternator |
 | Regulation - Electronic and
Electro-mechanical |
 | Terminal Identification |
Chapter 5 Ignition Systems
Electronic ignitions are universally
accepted as the norm, and this section deals with the
basic types, such as Magnetic, Hall Effect and HEI. From
here, the reader can gain an understanding of electronic
ignitions so that the basics of electronic ignition
control in engine management systems can be better
understood. This chapter is divided into the following
topics:
 | Distributor |
 | Magnetic |
 | Hall Effect |
 | Ignition Advance |
 | Choosing an Ignition System |
 | Magneto Ignition |
 | High Energy Ignition Systems |
 | Distributorless Ignition
Systems |
Chapter 6 Electronic Ignition
Conversions
This Chapter describes the various
methods and procedures to follow in order to convert a
points type ignition system or an early transistor
assisted electronic ignition system to a magnetic pulse or
hall effect electronic ignition system. We will deal with
the most popular electronic ignition system conversions
which are available for earlier, pre-EFI engines. For the
auto enthusiast who wishes to retain these older engines,
the conversions will increase performance, reduce
pollutants and run more efficiently without losing their
aesthetic appeal. An early, or "traditional" Hot
Rod just wouldn't look right with a SVO port injected
Ford, but with the proper application of these products,
your Windsor, Cleveland, 390 Cadillac, early Hemi or
flathead engine can be fired by the most modern, high tech
means available.
Chapter 7 Electronic Fuel and Ignition
Control
The demand for non-carburetted power
plants for the automotive enthusiast is on the rise, but
many are held back due to a lack of understanding on how
it all works and what components are required. This
chapter deals with the basics, and describes the
components required in a typical installation.
 | Operation |
 | Inputs |
 | Sensors and Actuators |
 | Electronic Fuel Control |
 | Ignition Control |
 | Engine Management
Computers |
Chapter 8 Custom Wiring
In addition to the main components of
any auto electrical system (such as the starting,
charging, ignition, etc systems already described in
previous chapters), there are other auto
electrical/electronic circuits and components that need to
be included. Some of the most common ones include:
 | Wiring and Wiring Kits |
 | Lighting and Instrumentation |
 | Wiring a Late Model Steering Column |
 | Fuse Panels |
 | Wiring Groups |
Chapter 9 Car Audio
In-car entertainment systems have come a
long way in a short time. Aftermarket systems always seem
to be streets ahead of everyday factory systems, and are
only equaled by the factory installations in all but the
most prestigious cars. Your custom auto electrical system
should include the type of car audio/entertainment system
in the overall planning so that you are not tearing the
system down later to make way for a new head unit or
amplifier. This section deals with the basics of
installing and wiring a sound system in a custom vehicle,
such as a Hot Rod or Kustom car, inasmuch as it fits in
with the rest of your electrical system. If you are into
full-on competition audio, then you should consult the
appropriate industries, as we are dealing here with your
basic head unit, amplifier and speakers. If all you are
interested in is a cheap radio with, maybe, a cassette
player built in, then you can skip this bit, too. If you
like your music and like it crisp, clear and LOUD, then
this chapter will help.
Chapter 10 Tools and Test Equipment
It is essential for the auto enthusiast
to obtain the most appropriate tools and test equipment,
dependant upon the complexity of the installation. This
section describes the most common tools and test
equipment, how to use them and where to get them.
Chapter 11 Crimping and Crimping
Tools
Factory wiring harnesses take advantage
of production-line manufacturing processes that the hot
rodder does not have access to. In addition, the factories
manufacture thousands of the same electrical system to fit
a variety of models. Despite these advantages, a well
thought out custom system will be far superior to a
factory one for a number of reasons. By taking your time
and working through each individual circuit, your system
will be neat, easy to install and far easier to maintain
than a factory harness that has been "customised"
to fit your project. In so doing, you will need to make
many connections and terminations, even on the various
kits that are available in the market place. The most
important of those tools is the crimping tool.
Chapter 12 Common Auto Electrical
Problems
This section lists many common problems
encountered in auto electrical service and repair. The
reader is given a table of common problems and the most
likely solution/s. |
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