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Looking for Ignition Switched 12V in Engine Compartment

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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 11:57 AM
  #1  
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Default Looking for Ignition Switched 12V in Engine Compartment

I am interested in adding an accessory to the engine comparment that is powered only when the ignition is in run. According to the schematic there are two 12v sources in the engine compartment that are swithched by the ignition switch. One is brown that goes to the alternator. I presume that it is the power to the coil. When I probed with the key on but the engine off, that connector was about 4.7v. With this indication this connector may be wired in series with some resistors or diodes in the alternator and I am hesitant to attempt to power anything else with it. According to the schematic there is another wire that is a black and pink that comes from the ignition switch to someplace near the distributor but not the coil. I am not able to find that one. The car is too old for GM running lights otherwise I would use that. Any suggestions from the forum.
Thanks
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T3C3TTZ07
I am interested in adding an accessory to the engine comparment that is powered only when the ignition is in run. According to the schematic there are two 12v sources in the engine compartment that are swithched by the ignition switch. One is brown that goes to the alternator. I presume that it is the power to the coil. When I probed with the key on but the engine off, that connector was about 4.7v. With this indication this connector may be wired in series with some resistors or diodes in the alternator and I am hesitant to attempt to power anything else with it. According to the schematic there is another wire that is a black and pink that comes from the ignition switch to someplace near the distributor but not the coil. I am not able to find that one. The car is too old for GM running lights otherwise I would use that. Any suggestions from the forum.
Thanks
you could wire in a relay for your accy and run it off the wire outlined above
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 12:09 PM
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use a relay for whatever it is, pickup control from the yellow wire on the wiper motor and battery votage from the horn relay
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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get yourself a multimeter or cheap voltage tester.
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 12:47 PM
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Winshield wiper motor might be a choice if the current draw isn't too high.

Sorry.didn't see the post above
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T3C3TTZ07
I am interested in adding an accessory to the engine comparment that is powered only when the ignition is in run. According to the schematic there are two 12v sources in the engine compartment that are swithched by the ignition switch. One is brown that goes to the alternator. I presume that it is the power to the coil. When I probed with the key on but the engine off, that connector was about 4.7v. With this indication this connector may be wired in series with some resistors or diodes in the alternator and I am hesitant to attempt to power anything else with it. According to the schematic there is another wire that is a black and pink that comes from the ignition switch to someplace near the distributor but not the coil. I am not able to find that one. The car is too old for GM running lights otherwise I would use that. Any suggestions from the forum.
Thanks
I just ran a new wire from the IGN terminal on the fuse block to under the hood - I use it as the control circuit for my Spal Controller / fans, electric choke on the Holley, and the Electronic ignition.
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 02:01 PM
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From: Racine Wisconsin
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Thanks for the advice. I didn't think of the wiper. Obviously it only works when the key is in the "run" position. I'll try that with a relay. If necessary contort myself and crawl under the dash.
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Old Apr 19, 2006 | 09:15 PM
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...just make sure you don't pull high load on the wiring.

Using the switched line for a relay is one thing, running fans and other things off 30+ year old wiring is just asking for trouble.

I just got done doing my dual spal install, I used the wire at the coil as the switched, and ran dedicated lines back to the battery.
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