Author Topic: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot  (Read 2707 times)

Offline Bluemonster71RT

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In my 71 Challenger, there are 2 spots on the bottom of the interior fuse box that have a male spade connector. One says batt and the other is Acc.  I'm trying to install my Autometer volt gauge and was wondering if I can connect to the batt gauge? Is it switched? Or the Acc one? Thank you.
1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd




Offline roadman5312

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2015 - 01:37:24 PM »
Acc is switched , batt hot all the time.

Offline Bluemonster71RT

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2015 - 01:53:53 PM »
Good deal!!! :bigsmile: Thank you.
1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2015 - 03:10:46 PM »
And it's good to remember that most acc feeds go dead when your cranking the motor. When the key is in run or acc they are hot.

Offline Bluemonster71RT

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2015 - 03:17:06 PM »
That makes sense. Any idea what the BATT one would have been used for? Diagnosis for techs back it the day?
 
1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2015 - 03:34:59 PM »
That makes sense. Any idea what the BATT one would have been used for? Diagnosis for techs back it the day?
                 Not really sure, I know all fuse boxs from all the auto makers had them. Possible diagnosis while working under dash. Also could have been used for options that could be added by the dealer. It's where I plugged in for the power to my Mini 8 Track back in the day so me and my main squeeze could listen to tunes with the key off   :2thumbs:

Offline blown motor

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2015 - 04:01:18 PM »
If you use the Batt terminal MAKE SURE you use an inline fuse. The PO of my car didn't and I nearly burned my car up.
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Offline Bluemonster71RT

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2015 - 04:09:44 PM »
If you use the Batt terminal MAKE SURE you use an inline fuse. The PO of my car didn't and I nearly burned my car up.
The ACC one is fine without a fuse?
1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2015 - 04:24:33 PM »
The ACC one is fine without a fuse?
               I believe it's fused. Test with test light, pull fuses one at a time, see if light goes off. I believe the batt terminal is only protected by the fuseable link on the battery cable, takes quite a short to blow it.

Offline dodj

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2015 - 06:17:15 PM »
Instead of that spade connector on the fuse box I would recommend using the molded accessory connectors behind the gauges. They are part of the dash harness and are made for accessory add ons.
Don't remember off hand if it is the red or yellow that is switched. Yellow i think. You will end up with a cleaner install. 
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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Offline Bluemonster71RT

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Re: Aftermarket volt gauge. Batt / Acc male spade fuse box spot
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2015 - 08:18:48 PM »
Instead of that spade connector on the fuse box I would recommend using the molded accessory connectors behind the gauges. They are part of the dash harness and are made for accessory add ons.
Don't remember off hand if it is the red or yellow that is switched. Yellow i think. You will end up with a cleaner install.

This is what I did so that would of been a less than optimal route. Thank you though.
1971 Challenger RT 383 4spd