Cab Heater Power

[jime]

I'm installing a cab heater in my Deuce and I see that the power comes off the horn circuit. Should I be looking for an unused connector in the wiring harness? If so, where will I find it? (Don't say "In the horn circuit!")

Thanks for leading the blind by the hand!

 

[gungearz]

I pulled one wire for the 12v low from the first battery then a 24v from the second battery. No need for a converter. Works just fine and I never had any battery problems. Just don't tap into the batteries for everything. If so get a converter...

 

[AN/ARC186]

In most cases you'll have to install a "Y" adapter in the horn circuit for power.
You can also pull off the batteries directley although if you do that I recommend installing a circuit breaker or fuse inline.

 

[gungearz]

In most cases you'll have to install a "Y" adapter in the horn circuit for power.
You can also pull off the batteries directley although if you do that I recommend installing a circuit breaker or fuse inline.

Correct.... I shouldve included that. You should never run direct power with out a fuse

 

[steelandcanvas]

AN/ARC186 is correct. The proper place to get power for asessories is to "Y" the power going into the horn circuit breaker. Just remember this is a constant hot, so be cautious about leaving items on without the engine running. Jay at Saturn Surplus has the breaker, and Erik at Erik's Surplus has the connectors to make it look like the Guys in the motorpool did it. Hope this helps.

15amp

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS & TERMINALS

 

[jime]

Awesome guys! Thanks for the great info! I've got the breaker and maybe enough connectors. I just gotta trace the horn circuit. That shouldn't be to tough.

 

[steelandcanvas]

Awesome guys! Thanks for the great info! I've got the breaker and maybe enough connectors. I just gotta trace the horn circuit. That shouldn't be to tough.

The horn circuit and circuit breaker are above the steering column on the firewall in the engine compartment. Find your hot and pig-tail it to another circuit breaker to use for your heater. My heater breaker (when I purchased the truck) was attached to the inside of the dashboard to the right of the steering column. Due to it being such a pain to work under the dash, I recommend the engine compartment for your breaker placement, and your resistor if you're doing the low/high speed motor switch. There should already be holes drilled in your firewall for additional circuit breakers. The photo I attached shows how I pig-tailed my breakers together. I also put in a spare for future asessories.

 

[eagle4g63]

I did the same thing with my heater as steelandcanvas.....but before you do that did you look under the dash right inside the drivers door? I keep seeing people ask for power for a heater and I noticed that on my deuce I have a perfectly good switched plug just hanging there right where the heater controls would hang!?!?!?!?! Seems wierd that there would be a wire there and nothing hooked to it. I did originally hook my heater to it but with the arctic heater you need to have a constant hot to let the thing cool down so had to re think the whole hook thing.

 

[steelandcanvas]

I did the same thing with my heater as steelandcanvas.....but before you do that did you look under the dash right inside the drivers door?

No, I didn't look for any available wires under the dash, my truck came with the heater already installed. I just re-fed the heater circuit breaker from my pig-tail set up. Good idea though to take a meter and check for available assessory power already under the dash. Did you ever find out where (what circuit) your switched plug came from? I'm guessing off the ignition (power switch)?

 

[eagle4g63]

Never chased it down, figured I would later if I found something else I wanted to hook up. Like I said I had to hook up like you so I had a constant hot for the arctic set up.

I was actually asking the OP if they had looked under the dash.....sorry to confuse you with that one

Nobody I have asked about the wire on my truck has given me any idea about what it was for.......I just figured it was for the regular coolant heater.

 

[jime]

The horn circuit and circuit breaker are above the steering column on the firewall in the engine compartment. Find your hot and pig-tail it to another circuit breaker to use for your heater. My heater breaker (when I purchased the truck) was attached to the inside of the dashboard to the right of the steering column. Due to it being such a pain to work under the dash, I recommend the engine compartment for your breaker placement, and your resistor if you're doing the low/high speed motor switch. There should already be holes drilled in your firewall for additional circuit breakers. The photo I attached shows how I pig-tailed my breakers together. I also put in a spare for future asessories.

I already stuck it (and the resitor) under the dash. I like your idea better, but that was a lot of contorting to get under the dash! I think I'll leave it. The spare is a great idea. That could be the dome light.

 

[jime]

I did the same thing with my heater as steelandcanvas.....but before you do that did you look under the dash right inside the drivers door? I keep seeing people ask for power for a heater and I noticed that on my deuce I have a perfectly good switched plug just hanging there right where the heater controls would hang!?!?!?!?! Seems wierd that there would be a wire there and nothing hooked to it. I did originally hook my heater to it but with the arctic heater you need to have a constant hot to let the thing cool down so had to re think the whole hook thing.

My only 'spare' under the dash was what turned out to be my 'low air warning' buzzer, un-hooked by the guard unit motorpool. I could use that, but I'd only get the blower until the air got up to pressure!

 

[steelandcanvas]

My only 'spare' under the dash was what turned out to be my 'low air warning' buzzer, un-hooked by the guard unit motorpool. I could use that, but I'd only get the blower until the air got up to pressure!

There's probably a can of worms you don't want to open here. Please re-connect your low air alarm buzzer. It is the only audible indication you'll get when your air pressure drops below 60 PSI. Use the time while the very irritating buzzer is on to do a walk around inspection. You will need the total Top Fuel Racer Flame Suit if you try and justify leaving it disconnected.

 

[steelandcanvas]

I was actually asking the OP if they had looked under the dash.....sorry to confuse you with that one

No worries, I'm easily confused.

 

[AN/ARC186]

I found that the area behind the passenger seat is a great place to mount circuit breakers and bus bars for powering just about anything.

 

[eagle4g63]

Love those bus bars!!! Where do you get them? I'm needing some for my new 12 volt add on system.

 

[jime]

The photo I attached shows how I pig-tailed my breakers together. I also put in a spare for future asessories.

Pigtails are Saturn or Erik's?

 

[AN/ARC186]

Love those bus bars!!! Where do you get them? I'm needing some for my new 12 volt add on system.

Any boat supply store should have them in stock.
Here's a good link for them Bargain Boat Parts and Quality Marine Products

 

[steelandcanvas]

Pigtails are Saturn or Erik's?

Both.

Rubber Shell "Y" Connector MS27147-1 (Erik's)

adpt (Saturn)