Headlight relay system and Convertible top relay system recommendation

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67CudaBob

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If anyone would like to take a load off their tired electrical system, I would highly recommend getting in touch with member crackedback (Rob) as he puts together relay systems with high quality components and great service (good instructions, and easy to reach with questions) to help install for those not that confident in their electrical skills.

I completed both the headlight relay system and just this weekend the convertible top relay system, and there is a noticeable difference in performance. Great guy to deal with!
 
I agree. As it turns out, last night was the first time I've had the Duster out after dark since installing Crackedback's headlight relays. After properly aiming the headlights they totally light up the road now. HUGE improvement. And the quality of the kit is about as good as it gets.
 
On his headlight kit, does anyone know if there is a specific reason power is taken from the alternator, as opposed to the starter relay or battery?
 
Another shameless plug for Rob's relay kits. One of the best 5 upgrades I've done to my car. The quality is second to none. For what he sends, I can't imagine how he even makes any profit on these kits.
 
On his headlight kit, does anyone know if there is a specific reason power is taken from the alternator, as opposed to the starter relay or battery?

Which item powers the car with the engine running? Also, the charging system issues if you don't have other components to address the mopar inadequacies.

Thanks for the comments, I try my best to provide great products at a fair price.
 
.... does anyone know if there is a specific reason power is taken from the alternator, as opposed to the starter relay or battery?
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Which item powers the car with the engine running?
To answer this, you need to know the following:
Electricity flows from the highest voltage source.
The Alternator should supply power at 14.5 Volts, although it may drop closer to 13.5 Volts at idle.
The Battery will be around 12.5 Volts, although it may briefly float around 13 Volts when fully charged.

Power flow when the alternator is working and the battery is fully charged will look something like this:
Power_flow_when_charged.jpg


more here: Understanding Charging Systems with Ammeter
 
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Thank you, great information. I have eliminated the ammeter and bulkhead connections, and installed a new fuse box with a circuit breaker as well as a new charge wire directly from the alternator to the starter relay.
It appears, in my case, I can now run the headlight relays off the starter relay.
Just trying to clean up the wiring and simplify.
 
Sound like you have a good handle on fixing the charging system.
 
Thanks to FABO.
The only missing piece is how to determine the length of the fusible link on the alternator charge wire?
60 amp alternator, 8 ga wire, not sure exactly how long if a run it is.

I have a 50 amp maxi fuse with an 8 ga, 60 amp holder I was going to use but I don't think it is the correct size. There are hundreds of opinions on maxi fuse/wire gauge size, and 1 confusing article on fusible link length I was able to find.
 
Sizes all fuses, breakers, etc. based on the weakest wire in the circuit. You seem to have a handle on how to wire distribution, so size each fuse or breaker for the circuits downstream. If you want to see what AMC did when they changed wiring strategies to something more like yours, I have a simplified version posted here: 1986 AMC Jeep SJ Charging and Ignition Wiring Diagram
The green ones are all 18 ga, and the yellow one 14 ga.
Links are 2 wire sizes smaller than the smallest wires in the circuit. Or at least smallest unfused wires in the circuit. You can see in the factory diagram the 14 ga fusible link connects to the 10 ga wire to the alternator. http://oljeep.com/gw/elec/86/86_FSJ_WiringDiagramPage2-1.gif

I can't tell you what the lengths ought to be, but if I remember where I saw it, I'll post up if no one else has. I want to say it was in a factory service manual, but even so, I don't know which one. Maybe the Chrysler Master Tech Bulletin on Wiring diagrams.
 
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Thanks to FABO.
The only missing piece is how to determine the length of the fusible link on the alternator charge wire?
60 amp alternator, 8 ga wire, not sure exactly how long if a run it is.

I have a 50 amp maxi fuse with an 8 ga, 60 amp holder I was going to use but I don't think it is the correct size. There are hundreds of opinions on maxi fuse/wire gauge size, and 1 confusing article on fusible link length I was able to find.

I'd use a 12ga fusible link that is ~6" long.
 
If anyone would like to take a load off their tired electrical system, I would highly recommend getting in touch with member crackedback (Rob) as he puts together relay systems with high quality components and great service (good instructions, and easy to reach with questions) to help install for those not that confident in their electrical skills.

I completed both the headlight relay system and just this weekend the convertible top relay system, and there is a noticeable difference in performance. Great guy to deal with!
I just rec'd my kit for my '69 Dart GTS from crackedback (Rob) and it is very nicely made, out of quality materials. I also cannot believe how fast it got here. Top notch! Thanks Rob.
 
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