Electrically challenged questions

[Midlife Mike]

Hey gang,

I'm working on the wiring on my Roadster, using the RT Turn Signal Switch with the RF harness. My question is are the ground wires specific, or do I just need to make certain everything that needs grounded gets one? For instance, in the RF harness diagram, there's a light green fuel sender gauge wire and a ground coming out of the harness next to it. Do I have to use that specific ground wire in the diagram, or do I just need to ground the gauge? Side note: I'm using SW Vintage Gauges, not any of the FFR supplied ones.

#2 Can someone tell me how to modify the RT wiring layout to use a single dash indicator light?

#3 If I have leftover ground wires coming out of the RF harness when done with wiring, do I need to put those all to ground?

I've used the RT switch on two previous builds, but I used the Wire Diet harness on both of those.

Thank you for your help!

Mike

[BrewCityCobra]

So hopefully this helps.

As for #2: I suspect you mean a single turn-signal indicator. If so, I did exactly that. Below is a schematic showing how I wired it (TS Ind.). The TLDR is run both the left flash indicator and the right turn indicator to a "Hy-Power Diode" pack (https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-792-Hy-Power-Diode-Pack/dp/B0002UHVHI/ref=sr_1_25?crid=WNQUK0DFS23I&keywords=trailer%2Bdiode&qid=1668738290&sprefix=trailer%2Bdiode%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-25&th=1). The outlet is then run to the positive side of the corresponding LED. The Hy-Power LED device allows for the two inputs to drive the LED without any leakage current going back down the other lead. Clever little device.

195351

Would love to help up with Question 1 but not sure I understand exactly what wires you are talking about.

[edwardb]

My experience with the Ron Francis harness is that all ground wires eventually tie back to each other and go back to the single large ground lug by the fuse panel. So not connecting the single wire you're asking about likely doesn't affect anything. Having said that, I typically add grounds at each corner and to any additional panels or whatever that are added.

[Inman Lanier]

#3: You can't have too many grounds. Tether each ground you have preferably to a nearby piece of the frame.

[Mike.Bray]

Groundliness is next to Godliness. I looked it up:)

[JJK]

something to be cautious of are circuits that switch the ground instead of the hot wire. I don't think the RF harness does this anywhere but this is done sometimes with custom wiring. In those cases connecting both sides to ground wont work as the switch will always be continuous.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Ground is ground is ground is ground... One of the first lessons my Professor taught us ;)

Jeff

[Papa]

something to be cautious of are circuits that switch the ground instead of the hot wire. I don't think the RF harness does this anywhere but this is done sometimes with custom wiring. In those cases connecting both sides to ground wont work as the switch will always be continuous.

This isalmost always done with a relay. The RF harness does this for the fuel pump, fan, and horn circuits. I can't recall any other negative control circuits in the RF harness.

[Midlife Mike]

Thanks for all of the replies you guys. Brew City, thanks for taking the time to send the diagram and link. I have the Hi Power Diode Pack on order!

[BrewCityCobra]

Thanks for all of the replies you guys. Brew City, thanks for taking the time to send the diagram and link. I have the Hi Power Diode Pack on order!

Happy to help. Those Hi Powers are nice little units and do the job well.

My build thread has a good amount of electrical in it but I'm happy to help if you need anything else.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?38979-The-Brew-City-Cobra-427W-IRS-Dead-Pedal-Install&p=492005&viewfull=1#post492005

-Brew

[DanQ]

Ground is ground is ground is ground... One of the first lessons my Professor taught us ;)

Jeff

My instructor back in 1977 Vo-Tech always said that too. He also taught us that if there is ever an odd electrical issue, it is always a ground. After 45 years in the automotive/heavy duty mechanical world, I have used that advice many, many times with success.

[F500guy]

I believe the stock courtesy light is switched thru the light control switch to ground. i remember seeing a post a bout it so I looked it up and sure enough, the courtesy light is constant hot thru the light to the switch, which then grounds out to light the bulb. A lot of relays are hot and switched to ground as was stated earlier in the thread.

Lance