DUI distributor wiring question.
#1
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Installed a new DUI distributor in my BBC, replacing a factory Thunderbolt V ignition, and trying to find a good source for power to the distributor. Tried it at the starter solenoid, but the solenoid is only 3 lug and the small post apparently is only hot when the starter is engaged. Engine would start up, but quit when I released the key to the run position. I am going to double check it with a voltmeter, tomorrow when I go up to my boat.
Where is the best place to connect a 12 ga. wire for power to the distributor?
Wondering if I can I run a power wire from the slave solenoid direct to the distributor? Wires from the ignition are purple, but they are somewhat smaller than a 12 ga wire, but there is a red/purple wire connected to one of the small terminals and I think it is hot when the ignition is in the run mode (again, will check it tomorrow). Red/purple wire is fused and runs from the ignition switch to the alternator, circuit breaker and slave solenoid. If this terminal is hot when the ignition is in the run mode, would this be an adequate location to obtain power for the distributor?
A friend suggested that I use the existing 12v (+) coil purple wire for power. This wire is not a 12 ga wire (but none of the purple wires in this harness are), and is probably a 14 or 16ga wire. With a run so short, will a 14 or 16 ga wire provide enough voltage to power the distributor and provide 12+ volts?
Unfortunately, electricity and circuits are not my forte, so sorry in advance for the uneducated question. Any info and help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Where is the best place to connect a 12 ga. wire for power to the distributor?
Wondering if I can I run a power wire from the slave solenoid direct to the distributor? Wires from the ignition are purple, but they are somewhat smaller than a 12 ga wire, but there is a red/purple wire connected to one of the small terminals and I think it is hot when the ignition is in the run mode (again, will check it tomorrow). Red/purple wire is fused and runs from the ignition switch to the alternator, circuit breaker and slave solenoid. If this terminal is hot when the ignition is in the run mode, would this be an adequate location to obtain power for the distributor?
A friend suggested that I use the existing 12v (+) coil purple wire for power. This wire is not a 12 ga wire (but none of the purple wires in this harness are), and is probably a 14 or 16ga wire. With a run so short, will a 14 or 16 ga wire provide enough voltage to power the distributor and provide 12+ volts?
Unfortunately, electricity and circuits are not my forte, so sorry in advance for the uneducated question. Any info and help would be appreciated.
Thanks
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Between A Womans Leggs in IL
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Installed a new DUI distributor in my BBC, replacing a factory Thunderbolt V ignition, and trying to find a good source for power to the distributor. Tried it at the starter solenoid, but the solenoid is only 3 lug and the small post apparently is only hot when the starter is engaged. Engine would start up, but quit when I released the key to the run position. I am going to double check it with a voltmeter, tomorrow when I go up to my boat.
Where is the best place to connect a 12 ga. wire for power to the distributor?
Wondering if I can I run a power wire from the slave solenoid direct to the distributor? Wires from the ignition are purple, but they are somewhat smaller than a 12 ga wire, but there is a red/purple wire connected to one of the small terminals and I think it is hot when the ignition is in the run mode (again, will check it tomorrow). Red/purple wire is fused and runs from the ignition switch to the alternator, circuit breaker and slave solenoid. If this terminal is hot when the ignition is in the run mode, would this be an adequate location to obtain power for the distributor?
A friend suggested that I use the existing 12v (+) coil purple wire for power. This wire is not a 12 ga wire (but none of the purple wires in this harness are), and is probably a 14 or 16ga wire. With a run so short, will a 14 or 16 ga wire provide enough voltage to power the distributor and provide 12+ volts?
Unfortunately, electricity and circuits are not my forte, so sorry in advance for the uneducated question. Any info and help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Where is the best place to connect a 12 ga. wire for power to the distributor?
Wondering if I can I run a power wire from the slave solenoid direct to the distributor? Wires from the ignition are purple, but they are somewhat smaller than a 12 ga wire, but there is a red/purple wire connected to one of the small terminals and I think it is hot when the ignition is in the run mode (again, will check it tomorrow). Red/purple wire is fused and runs from the ignition switch to the alternator, circuit breaker and slave solenoid. If this terminal is hot when the ignition is in the run mode, would this be an adequate location to obtain power for the distributor?
A friend suggested that I use the existing 12v (+) coil purple wire for power. This wire is not a 12 ga wire (but none of the purple wires in this harness are), and is probably a 14 or 16ga wire. With a run so short, will a 14 or 16 ga wire provide enough voltage to power the distributor and provide 12+ volts?
Unfortunately, electricity and circuits are not my forte, so sorry in advance for the uneducated question. Any info and help would be appreciated.
Thanks
#5
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Fixx - I will do that if I can't get power any other way. Thanks
Black Baja - Thanks, I always over think things, when I'm not sure what I'm doing. If you spliced into the ignition wire somewhere, couldn't I just use the existing purple wire that went to the (+) side of the old coil? Did you splice in with a 12 ga. wire?
Ezstriper - Where did you splice in or did you use the existing purple (+) coil wire?
If the old TB V was an HEI ignition and ran off the smaller purple wire, shouldn't this DUI run off of it also. I know they say that it should have a 12 ga. wire, but..... Man, here I go again, making this more complicated than it should be. I just want to be sure that I am going to get 12-14 volts to this distributor. Heading up to check this out today. Hopefully, I will get it straightened
Ezstriper - Where did you splice in or did you use the existing purple (+) coil wire?
If the old TB V was an HEI ignition and ran off the smaller purple wire, shouldn't this DUI run off of it also. I know they say that it should have a 12 ga. wire, but..... Man, here I go again, making this more complicated than it should be. I just want to be sure that I am going to get 12-14 volts to this distributor. Heading up to check this out today. Hopefully, I will get it straightened
#6
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Went up and checked wires with the voltmeter. The existing purple (+) coil wire was putting out 12+ volts with the key on. Sooooo, I tapped into it and hooked it up. Cleaned everything up and gave it a go. Lit off almost immediately. Set the timing and she ran like a top on muffs. Will put it in the water next week and see if she still runs good.
I appreciate the responses here that made it a bit easier to go ahead and do it. Thanks
I appreciate the responses here that made it a bit easier to go ahead and do it. Thanks
#7
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Here is a good .pdf of popular black motor wiring schematics that could prove valuable to have in one's computer boat folder: http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/94/94hg4d.pdf
There are more on the net of course, if you do some searching.
There are more on the net of course, if you do some searching.
#8
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Went up and checked wires with the voltmeter. The existing purple (+) coil wire was putting out 12+ volts with the key on. Sooooo, I tapped into it and hooked it up. Cleaned everything up and gave it a go. Lit off almost immediately. Set the timing and she ran like a top on muffs. Will put it in the water next week and see if she still runs good.
I appreciate the responses here that made it a bit easier to go ahead and do it. Thanks
I appreciate the responses here that made it a bit easier to go ahead and do it. Thanks
#9
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Oh, and you were certainly correct. If you over think it, it does become more complicated than it has to be and will drive you crazy. I have spent hours searching for info about this.
Next time (if there is one), I will ask more pointed questions and try to get it straight in my thick old head.
Thanks