Stupid elec. question

[thereverend]

What is the best/correct place to tap in for and aux bank of circuits? Is there a convenient place (hot ONLY when key is on) like the S or I terminals on the starter relay? I know not to use those, there just for example. God this sounding too complicated. I just want a hot when key on spot to tap in to.

Thanks guys.

Oh yeah, 71 f100 351w c4 LWB

[Calfdemon]

Your best bet is to run some relays so you have power now and even some later if you decide to add something else. If you only need 1 spot to have an "ignition on" wire, then you can use one of the open plugs off the back of the ignition. There is a plug off the back with 3 spots to attach to. Only one or two are used stock, one of which is the windshield wipers. If you need more than the one spot, run some relays. Just run a hot wire from the starter solenoid to the power wire for the relays. Run a ground, and then run your On/Off wire to that same ignition plug I was talking about. This way, your relays will be hot when the ignition is on and cold when it is off. But it will be drawing the power directly from the battery and not over-taxing your old electrical system.

For a few pictures to give you an idea of what I am talking about (and a picture of the ignition plug I am talking about), look in this thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =6&t=59539

[thereverend]

I got what you're saying and thanks. I was wanting 1 spot to tap then put a aux fuse block for small stuff, any gauges, usb/12v power for in the cab. Anything larger would get a dedicated relay situation. I didn't know of the ignition plug.

If Calfdemon is still there I'll hijack my own thread. I have stock gauge cluster ('71) in a '67 housing (the old metal one -> http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =8&t=74438) When I put it in for a test the lower 2 gauges don't work which I attribute to the plastic "printed circuit board" as they worked before I removed it. Is there a prescribed method of cleaning this. It has the typical years of dust and crud on it but is not torn or wrinkled. I saw a new one but don't want to spend upwards of a $100 on a new one when those 2 bottom gauges won't be of any use (gonna cut 2 holes left and right for water and oil anyway with volt in G/B). I just wanted those to function anyway.

[Calfdemon]

Not sure of the best way to "clean" the circuit boards. I would not buy a new one either, but you may want to check your local junkyard or pick-a-part as you can usually score a bumpside dash for pretty cheap. You will probably find another circuit board dash for next to nothing or even better, get a non circuit board dash so you have wiring you can work with.

You could always throw a post in the parts wanted section on this site as I know there are members that have extra circuit boards lying around as there have been a lot of dash replacements and modifications done by the members on this site.

[68RGR]

You would be wise to add a fuse or circuit breaker to the wire leaving the solenoid.

Even better - Do the same thing to the wire feeding power to the ignition switch.