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Technical Anyone in southern Oregon know how to wire an old Dodge Brothers?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 31Dodger, Oct 15, 2020.

    • Living here in southern Oregon, I find it a little tough to find car guys near me. I am trying to get my 1931 Dodge Brothers business coupe back on the road and need some wiring help. I have MOSTLY installed a new wiring harness, but there are a few ends to tie up. Is there anyone who lives near Phoenix, Oregon who may want to come and direct me on what to do? I can pay or trade parts or? Thanks in advance. Here is the car....John IMG_9411.JPG
     
  1. 2935ford
    Joined: Jan 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,843

    2935ford
    Member

    Sorry, I'm on the Canadian east coast but just wanted to say........that's a nice coupe.

    Good luck with the wiring. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. Not a whole lotta wires in these old cars! :)
     
    31Dodger likes this.
  2. I'm about 2,701 mile away on the right coast so I can't be of any help but I can offer you a wiring diagram for a 1931 Dodge. HRP

    post-37352-143138560128.jpg
     
  3. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,818

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Good find, enlarge and laminate, get to wiring
     

  4. It’s much simpler than a modern wiring harness. Like ignition and lights and grounds. And note that it most likely positive ground.

    Get a good battery like a 6 volt optima and good fat 00 battery cables.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    you can take pictures of the stuff you have questions about, and we can see if we can help you figure it out.
     
  6. Almostdone
    Joined: Dec 19, 2019
    Posts: 892

    Almostdone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    yes, what are your specific issues? I’m in northern Oregon but I was in your area a few weeks ago. So sorry for all the fire damage.
     
    kidcampbell71 and 31Dodger like this.
  7. Model A Gomez
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,695

    Model A Gomez
    Member

    One thing to be aware of is if it's still 6 volt it needs heavier wiring since the current is higher, 12 volt wiring kits aren't a good idea on it.
     
  8. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,458

    noboD
    Member

    John, what problems are you having? With your eye for detail you can do it. Maybe a few words of encouragement will do?
     
    31Dodger likes this.
  9. Mostly having trouble standing on my head on the floor boards and trying to figure out which wires go to which of three posts on the back of the amp gauge.
     
  10. Still 6V just like the original.
     
  11. Thanks. We were VERY lucky to have a Klamath Falls fireman living directly across the street and he is the hero who saved our little block. All around us is mostly gone.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  12. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    The thing about an ammeter, is that all the wires are basically connected to each other, no matter how you connect them. If you wire it up wrong, just move the wires until it indicates correctly. The small wire connects to the same side as the black wire. The red wire connects to the other side. If you have it wired correctly, it will show discharge (needle moves left) when you turn on the lights, with the engine not running. And it will show charge, when you start the engine, and rev it up. If it reads backwards, switch all the wires to the opposite side.

    Someone with their brain in gear could tell you if red or black goes on the left or right side, but that's not me, right now.
     
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  13. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,458

    noboD
    Member

    Sorry I can't help you with the standing on your head part. But I think Squirrel has you covered.
     
  14. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    An important follow-up on this is the why.

    An important equation is: Volts X Amps = Watts. You can rearrange that equation way you want, via simple math.

    Given an electrical load of say 5W, like a light bulb:

    5 Watts ÷ 6 Volts = 0.833 Amps

    5 Watts ÷ 12 Volts = 0.417 Amps, or half the power draw of the same wattage of the 6 Volt light bulb.

    12 Volt harnesses are built with this in mind, and have smaller wires, as they support lower amperage. 6 Volt harnesses have larger wires, as they support higher amperages.

    That is the why of why a harness intended for 12 volts is not recommended for 6 volts, but the other way is usually fine (as long as the 6V harness is in good shape).
     
    squirrel likes this.
  15. Thanks for the tips, guys!
     
  16. Almostdone
    Joined: Dec 19, 2019
    Posts: 892

    Almostdone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Here’s a ‘32 DB our local fire department has. Has nothing to do with your question, but hey.

    27BFD375-4035-420A-925E-ADB4DC685CA3.jpeg
     
    Budget36 likes this.

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