Author Topic: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?  (Read 2454 times)

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Offline wildcat65

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Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« on: August 24, 2013, 10:03:40 AM »
Fiddling with pertronix and it needs 12v , I would prefer existing power
Although writing this I know I need a couple signal wires from temp and oil guages, maybe just run a power wire as well. 
Any advice?
Ted Nagel         65 Skylark GS 4-speed + Wildcats + GS's

Offline Weldar

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2013, 04:56:14 PM »
Ted - I'm getting ready to do a 30 min cam break-in on my rebuild and have installed Pertronix as well. Guess I thought the positive to the original coil was switched already. Maybe I need to check that out. The Pertronix coil does not fit the original bracket very well.

Dwaine
65 Skylark GS HT Auto - Under restoration
65 Skylark GS HT 4sp - Driver
2 x 65 Skylarks for parts

"If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready" - Les K.
"The closer to the wellhead the better" - Oilfield Oldtimer

Offline wildcat65

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2013, 08:51:12 PM »
Pos to coil is thru a resistor wire, makes only 9v under normal running condition.  Pertronix suggests running a full 12 v wire instead on resistor wire, but that resistor wire is all neatly wrapped in the harness. 
I've rewrapped harnesses before, I need to do it right and run the wires and re wrap the harness.
Ted Nagel         65 Skylark GS 4-speed + Wildcats + GS's

Offline Weldar

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2013, 09:07:48 PM »
Ted - Ok, good to know. Guess I'll have to do the same.

Dwaine
65 Skylark GS HT Auto - Under restoration
65 Skylark GS HT 4sp - Driver
2 x 65 Skylarks for parts

"If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready" - Les K.
"The closer to the wellhead the better" - Oilfield Oldtimer

Offline Bill

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2013, 01:35:11 PM »
Do you still have the porthole moldings for sale for the '65 skylark gs? Email or call me at 602-321-3086

Thanks, bill
bill hendry

Offline Bigpig455

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2013, 07:04:49 AM »
I used the resitor wire as a trigger wire on a 4 wire relay. I took the 12v directly from the horn positive battery relay on the LF  fender shield. Works good!
1965 Gran Sport Conv.
1973 Gran Sport Stage 1 4-spd
1971 GS455 Stage 1 hdtp
1972 Pontiac Grandville Conv.

Offline WkillGS

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2013, 10:21:06 AM »
I like Rhett's suggestion of the relay!
Instead of taking power from the horn relay/junction block, the terminal on the alternator with the heavy red wire has the same constant 12v.....it's closer to the coil and would be a simpler install.

Another nearby switched 12v source is the orange wire at the throttle linkage that supplies 12v to the switch pitch converter and trans downshift solenoids. One downside to that source is that it's fused and shares power with the windshield wipers. A problem with wipers could blow the fuse and kill your ignition too.

While we're on the subject of wiring, Tom T suggested adding a fusible link between the junction block and the heavy red wire that attaches to it. That heavy red wire feeds power to the rest of the car.... a short in the system would burn that wire up..... and possibly your car! Buick added a fusible link there starting in 1967.
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline Bigpig455

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2013, 10:24:20 AM »
Never though about the fusable link - next time I'm in there I'll hafta splice on in. I wonder what amperage it would have to be?
1965 Gran Sport Conv.
1973 Gran Sport Stage 1 4-spd
1971 GS455 Stage 1 hdtp
1972 Pontiac Grandville Conv.

Offline WkillGS

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2013, 11:56:36 AM »
The 67 manual shows two fusible links.... a 16 ga runs to the light switch, and a 14 ga powers everything else. However, our 65-66 light switches have a built-in circuit breaker which should offer protection for the light circuit.

A quick web search resulted in this page at Mad Electrical (bunch of tech pages there):
http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/fusible-link.shtml

They say go 4 sizes smaller than the main wire. '66 has a 10 ga wire, so a 14 ga fusible link should do it, which agrees with the stock '67 setup.
You can buy a fusible link at most auto parts stores.

« Last Edit: August 29, 2013, 12:00:09 PM by WkillGS »
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline gngeorge

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2018, 03:22:02 PM »
when installing a pertronix ignition do you still use the condenser/capacitor that is connected to the + side of the coil?

Offline dsags

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2018, 03:37:08 PM »
Not really needed. Believe that was actually used for radio noise suppression. If not correct am sure someone will jump in an correct me.

Dan
1965 Special Convertible, L33 LS, 4L60

Offline gngeorge

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Re: Best 12v switched power source under the hood?
« Reply #11 on: October 03, 2018, 06:13:49 PM »
ok thankyou...after I posted I read that in the 65 skylark gran sport service manual