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12V switched power source in 1968 mustang

  • Thread starter Thread starter Falcon79
  • Start date Start date Jan 19, 2010

Falcon79

Active Member
Apr 6, 2009
214
8
29
Dallas, TX
Jan 19, 2010
#1
  • Jan 19, 2010
  • #1
Hi guys,

I'm almost through installing a duraspark system in my 68 coupe and all that i have left is to splice into a switched 12 volt power source. I want to use the wire coming out from the ignition switch but I have no idea which wire I should use. I'm so close to getting this beast to fire up can anybody help?
 
P

pyroman

Founding Member
Jul 28, 2002
480
3
18
Ennis, Texas
Jan 19, 2010
#2
  • Jan 19, 2010
  • #2
I tell you what I did for a switched power source. Instead of tapping directly off the back off the ignition switch I ran a wire to a relay from the back of the ignition switch and on the otherside of the switch I ran a wire to ground. On the other side of the relay I ran a wire to a constant 12V source (starter solenoid in my case) and then on the other side of that switch ran a wire to the accessory that need the switched 12V source. Although in my case I ran it to an aftermarket fuse box so I could have multiple switched power circuits I could tap off.

So then when the key is in the "ON" position, you complete the circuit between the wire from the ignition switch to ground which closes the switch connection your 12V source to your accessory. Since you're not drawing power directly off the ignition switch you'll avoid premature wear of the ignition switch. These cars weren't designed to have so many sources pulled off the ignition switch after all.
 

chris66dad

Member
Dec 19, 2008
167
0
17
Benicia California
Jan 19, 2010
#3
  • Jan 19, 2010
  • #3
I added a 40 amp relay also. I set up fuse blocks that were switched and unswitched.
Here is a schematic from my webpage:
Aux 12V Power
 
6

68EFIvert

Member
Jan 13, 2007
639
0
17
Camas, Washington
Jan 19, 2010
#4
  • Jan 19, 2010
  • #4
Couldn't you just take a wire from the "I" post of the starter solenoid? Ues an inline fuse and it should be good.
 

68stang351

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
850
9
39
Savoy TX
Jan 19, 2010
#5
  • Jan 19, 2010
  • #5
My 68 had a little unused plug under the center of the dash that had a 3 female plug. It is a switched 12 volt. I'm not sure if it's factory or not, but it looks to be.
 

chris66dad

Member
Dec 19, 2008
167
0
17
Benicia California
Jan 20, 2010
#6
  • Jan 20, 2010
  • #6
The "I" post on the starter solenoid connects to the pink resistor wire and it also goes to the coil. The resistor wires reduces the voltage and is not really 12 volts. MSD ignition boxes have problems if you connect to the I post because of the voltage drop needed by the original coil.
Im unsure if Duraspark has the same issue or not...
 
O

onlymustangford

New Member
Jan 21, 2010
5
0
0
Jan 21, 2010
#7
  • Jan 21, 2010
  • #7
Why wouldn't you just use a terminal off the fuse box that's on a switched circuit, like say, the radio?
 
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