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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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 Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:46 pm Post subject: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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Hi there!
I have a 67 Manx clone.
It’s a killer car but it seems to have some electrical gremlins. I got a buddy who’s an electrical engineer to agree to install a new harness just to do it all at once. I ordered a Universal harness on Amazon (first mistake) and it was a mistake. Stuff was way skewy. Nothing was going to work, this leaves me without a harness. Any ideas on a decent modern fuse box wiring harness for my buggy?
Thanks! |
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Glassy Guy
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007
Posts: 212
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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I would recommend the Rebel Wire Beetle harness. The wires are marked making it a very easy installation. I believe you will need ground wires that are not included in the harness but available from Rebel Wire. Good luck and have fun.
Last edited by Glassy Guy on Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dangib
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2011
Posts: 95
Location: pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 5:14 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| ya second the rebel never used but Have read they are really nice. Secondly loose the engineer they just complicate stuff lol |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20379
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:47 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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Any harness that has labeling on wires is best.... And they also usually come with some sort of instructions.... A Bag-0-Wires is just another nightmare..... And anything mounted on fiberglass body will usually require a ground wire to complete circuit as most wiring diagrams and wire kits think the electrical item is grounded through a metal body....
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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slayer61
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2021
Posts: 1018
Location: CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:52 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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I used the one from Speedway. I am very happy with it.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/12-Circuit-Mini-Fuse-Universal-Hot-Rod-Wiring-Harness-Kit,2352.html
_________________
| Cusser wrote: |
... Most folks are idiots when it deals with electrical !!! |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
3/4 race cam? What's missing, one of the lobes?  |
Paul
'68 Manx clone... Sears??
2276 built on AS21 case
W-125 w/ GB 1.25:1 rockers
Mahle forged pistons
CB 4340 crank
CB H beam rods
deep sump
44 HPMX
EMPI GTV 2 STG II wedge ports
CB Magna spark
1 5/8 merged collector w/ hater stinger |
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slalombuggy
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 9145
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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I've used Rebel harnesses in a couple of non VW cars and they are probably the best out there. They use quality wire of appropriate gauge, not just all 16ga like the shitty empi and amazon harnesses. The fuse boxes are very high quality and the labelled wires make it pretty much fool proof.
And as Dale noted DO NOT FORGET GROUNDS on anything on the fiberglass body
brad |
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Dangib
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2011
Posts: 95
Location: pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:11 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| just say no to scotch locks |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20379
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| Dangib wrote: |
| just say no to scotch locks |
And really cheap crimping tool... Spend a few bucks and get a quality ratchet type crimping tool with interchangeable jaws for different type of terminals...
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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slalombuggy
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 9145
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:18 pm Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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You don't need a ratcheting crimping tool to make good crimps. In fact its easier to make a shitty crimp that will fail with them.
A good pair of Kliens or Thomas & Betts will give you the stronest crimps. It's all we use in the field on spade and ring terminals. Just make sure you put the connector in the pliers correctly to get the best crimp. The split in the metal barrel goes into the rounded side of the tool so that the dimple deform the solid side of the barrel on the connector. |
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5475
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| Dangib wrote: |
| just say no to scotch locks |
The first time I read that I thought you typed "scorch locks" and knew exactly what you were talking about. 
For me it is non-insulated terminals crimped with the long available Klein Tools 1005 crimper and then finished with heat shrink tubing. Be sure to slip the heat shrink over the wire before crimping the terminal!
I roll my own wiring harness but you seem to be getting some good suggestions on ready built harnesses that will work on a VW based car. They can make things a lot easier for those less comfortable with wiring.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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I ordered an Amazon kit that seemed to be very similar initially, however upon receiving it I noticed that the wires weren’t labeled (it was advertised as such) and it had pins installed into the fuseblock without any wires attached? Very confusing, I’ll look into the speedway as it seems like a great option!
Thanks! |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| Glassy Guy wrote: |
| I would recommend the Rebel Wire Beetle harness. The wires are marked making it a very easy installation. I believe you will need ground wires that are not included in the harness but available from Rebel Wire. Good luck and have fun. |
Thanks I’ll have to check it out! |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| EVfun wrote: |
| Dangib wrote: |
| just say no to scotch locks |
The first time I read that I thought you typed "scorch locks" and knew exactly what you were talking about.
For me it is non-insulated terminals crimped with the long available Klein Tools 1005 crimper and then finished with heat shrink tubing. Be sure to slip the heat shrink over the wire before crimping the terminal!
I roll my own wiring harness but you seem to be getting some good suggestions on ready built harnesses that will work on a VW based car. They can make things a lot easier for those less comfortable with wiring. |
Klein tools are the way to go, Anything electrical I go Klein for sure. I considered making my own fuseblock as I have a medium understanding of electrical. However I have a hard time figuring out the minor gremlins (relays give me headaches). I will have to post results of what I end up doing. |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| slalombuggy wrote: |
You don't need a ratcheting crimping tool to make good crimps. In fact its easier to make a shitty crimp that will fail with them.
A good pair of Kliens or Thomas & Betts will give you the stronest crimps. It's all we use in the field on spade and ring terminals. Just make sure you put the connector in the pliers correctly to get the best crimp. The split in the metal barrel goes into the rounded side of the tool so that the dimple deform the solid side of the barrel on the connector. |
I’ve found the best crimping tool is the Klein ones with a tooth in the middle that pushes directly into the crimp.
As far as crimps go, I have a bit of an unpopular option. But I order my insulated heat shrink crimps from the supplier of all the big box stores on AliExpress (same ones you can get from Ace hardware or Harbor freight, like a pack of 10 for $5.99)
Sure takes a bit for shipping, no more than 2 weeks and if you plan ahead you can get a lot more in bulk! I’ll usually get 200 of each connection size and shape for around $4-$5 after shipping and everything |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| Dale M. wrote: |
| Dangib wrote: |
| just say no to scotch locks |
And really cheap crimping tool... Spend a few bucks and get a quality ratchet type crimping tool with interchangeable jaws for different type of terminals... |
After shattering my last harbor freight crimping tool….I have nothing but empathy for this comment. I prefer a manual set with the tooth in the middle, I find it gives a solid crimp with no doubt. |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| slalombuggy wrote: |
I've used Rebel harnesses in a couple of non VW cars and they are probably the best out there. They use quality wire of appropriate gauge, not just all 16ga like the shitty empi and amazon harnesses. The fuse boxes are very high quality and the labelled wires make it pretty much fool proof.
And as Dale noted DO NOT FORGET GROUNDS on anything on the fiberglass body
brad |
Great! I’ll look into that harness! The one I received from Amazon seemed excellent when I first opened the box but I soon realized it was unlabeled, missing pins, and missing wires. Resulting in a lot more work than I’d like to give for a cheap harness
I appreciate the reminder for the grounds, I will be sure to double check!! |
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Mrorangecrush77
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2022
Posts: 119
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| Dangib wrote: |
| just say no to scotch locks |
Been there, done that. I wholeheartedly agree |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20379
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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By the way your Klein tool (crimper) with the tooth is called a "indenter"...
For terminals. and heat shrink and switches and relays and fuse blocks and such I shy away for online market places like aliexress and amazone...
There are my perfed suppliers..... Better quality stuff too....
http://delcity.net
http://waytekwire.com
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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KyoteII
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2018
Posts: 14
Location: salinas, ca
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| Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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| del city+++ try to get seamless connectors no split to worry aboutpulling apart when you crimp! |
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manxvair
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2011
Posts: 231
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Electrical on a Manx clone |
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I like the Rebel harnesses also for the builds I do, they are fairly simple, well marked and Jeremy offers great support if you have questions. You should make some notes on what all you want to power up to decide which loom you want to use, the VW Deluxe gives you more accessory options but may be to many wires for a basic/simple buggy. If you have some special request you can call Rebel and have them customize to suit your needs. You will need to add grounding in a fiberglass buggy. I also suggest you keep the number of splices/connections to a minimum, each is a future failure point. use a good crimping tool!!
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2018 NM1K 3rd in Evolution Meyers Manx class
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