I'm ok with mechanicals but not so good with electrics - I'm not scared of wiring - just incompetent.

What is the best book for me to read that isn't too technical but that will help me plan a loom, size wires and build one. I also want to learn about the best type of connectors to use.

Views would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Gavin

Haynes do a good manual called "Automobile Electrical & Electronic Systems" code 818 which is pretty good.

I am an electrician and would highly reccomend you by a loom from Premier wiring systems. I planned and designed my own loom then decidied it would be easier, cheper and neater to buy one - I wasnt wrong.

The loom comes with very easy to follow instructions and is straight forward.

'The Car Builder's Handbook - Kit Car electrics' is pretty reasonable. Published by Blueprint Books Ltd.

JB

[Edited on 7/9/11 by Daddylonglegs]

Thanks for the insight.

I am happy to hand out the main loom part but would need the cables to be oversized because the routing isn't set yet. In that case I would end up trimming and connecting on the car.

What type of connectors do they use?

Thanks
Gavin

Thanks JB and Spider.

I'll still read up even if I do hand out the loom element - I like to have some idea of how things work before I attack them with a hammer and soldering iron.

Gavin

Just remember chap, never force it, just use a bigger hammer

and a little lubricant!

There is also a bok advertised on the front page of this forum."AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICS A PRACTICAL GUIDE" by John Dickens which may be more Kit Car orientated as the author is the Technical Editor of "Complete Kit Car".
I do not have any experiance of this book but the diagrams/photo's look fairly good.

[Edited on 7/9/11 by spiderman]

If you wish to learn a bit about wire sizes, switches, etc etc, then a very good book is "THE 12 VOLT BIBLE" don't know if its still in print but well worth a search. HTH Ray

The Dickens book (no, not the one about Oliver Twist) is good. A bit simpler than some of my systems, but you can learn quite a bit. Doesn't mean I can put any of it to practice though.

here is a link to a site i have posted somewhere else, i have rewired several kits and it really is not difficult.......have a go...

http://www.andersensmith.freeserve.co.uk/wiringloom6.pdf

Dave.

That is the best description of how to do it than I've seen! Thanks!

Thanks......hope it inspires you to have a go!

Dave

What a brilliant article - really helpful.

I'm up for a go.

Would you mind answering the odd question during the course if I need a little help please?

Many thanks
Gavin

Yeah no problems, PM me or post here, i hope you wont need to though or i may have a rewrite on my hands. ;-)

i have got the john dickens book. must agree that it is pretty good added bonus is if you email him at ckc he will usually respond