Mobile Electronics: Modernize Electronics in Hot Rods, Classics and Muscle Cars

Presented by: Tony Candela, CE Auto Electric Supply & Author of Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems and Automotive Electrical Performance Projects

Avoiding Electrical Problems during the Build:

Hot Rodders of today have more options than at any time in the history of the hobby.  The increasing popularity of aftermarket EFI is here for the masses and the Restomod and Pro-Touring movements have greatly increased the desirability of adding the functionality of a late model vehicle in one’s weekend driver.

As a result, car builders today are tasked with a variety of new challenges when upgrading from carburetion to EFI, adding electric cooling fans & fuel pumps, upgrading the headlights, etc.  I look at it this way – you have enough on your plate to dial in after the build is complete so why set yourself up to troubleshoot problems of the electrical kind, especially considering that electrical problems can be the cause of so many other problems?

Modern electrical and electronic accessories place additional requirements on the vehicle’s charging system.  What size alternator do you really need?  What gauge cable should you really use for the alternator?  How do you correctly determine the correct gauge of wire for a given accessory?  Should you use a switch or a relay for a given accessory?

In addition, one of the most commonly overlooked parts of such electrical upgrades is grounding.  Improper grounding can lead to all kinds of problems, most of which are incredibly time consuming and difficult to track down – from drivability issues, like overheating, to cooling system electrolysis.

Believe it or not, it’s actually quite easy to get it right the first time and avoid these problems altogether.  Like any other aspect of a build, the electrical system should be properly planned out based on the actual requirements of the accessories to be installed.  Spending an hour on the front side of the build will save countless hours of troubleshooting after the build has been completed.

Should you have difficulties, a Digital Multimeter is the tool you should reach for first.  If yours is collecting dust in the bottom drawer of your tool box, I can help you to understand how to put it to work to quickly and efficiently resolve any and all problems you may encounter.