Electrical
Electrical system content — wiring, charging systems, and diagnostic work.
20
Builds
76
Knowledge
Popular Questions
What safety precautions are important?What were the most critical problems found on the test drive?How do I quickly determine if the problem is the shifter bushing and not the starter or battery?What maintenance is required to keep the runtime optimal?How do I route wires through the tailgate hinge without chafing?How should I protect and organize the new wiring?What safety precautions should I take when working on the fuel system?What safety steps should I take before starting?Can I tap the reverse light power instead of running a dedicated trigger wire?Can I keep the original radio and still add Bluetooth?
Builds
This 65 Mustang Keeps Throwing Curveballs
Basic dash build and small rewire of my 65 Mustang
Part 2 of the solar mount project, 1/2 way done with help from a friend!
Project Front Loader Pt 6: Linear actuator and bucket install on lawn mower
I Tried Making a Gauge Cluster PT. 2
I Tried Making a Gauge Cluster and Didn't Expect This
Cub Cadet Z2 Ultima 54 5hr runtime review
Running a tailgate reverse camera and an amp positive wire in a 2017 Chevy Silverado WT
Light update for the garage!
I Installed a Bluetooth Radio in My 1965 Mustang
Successfully running an old UPS off solar!
Everything I've Done to My 65 Mustang
2018 Ford Fusion no start / no crank issue resolved
Winch on hitch | Let's build it
Winch on hitch | Let's build it PT 2
Addressing a major structural issue with my first solar rack
I Built a Passive Cooling System Using Only Sunlight and an old radiator fan
We hit a major problem with the solar setup
Winch on hitch | Let's build it PT 3
Wrapping up the installation of solar panels on the second rack!
Vehicles
Knowledge
What safety precautions are important?What were the most critical problems found on the test drive?How do I quickly determine if the problem is the shifter bushing and not the starter or battery?What maintenance is required to keep the runtime optimal?How do I route wires through the tailgate hinge without chafing?How should I protect and organize the new wiring?What safety precautions should I take when working on the fuel system?What safety steps should I take before starting?Can I tap the reverse light power instead of running a dedicated trigger wire?Can I keep the original radio and still add Bluetooth?What maintenance should I do before a long mowing session?Can I drive the car if the shifter bushing is failing?Can these issues be fixed cheaply or will it cost a lot?Can a shifter bushing really cause a no-crank condition?How do I know if the fuel pump is bad on a 1965 Mustang?What does 'throwing curveballs' mean for the project?What size fuse should I use for the amp power wire?Can I replicate this kind of footage at home?Do FPV transmitters require a lot of power?Do I need to replace the entire wiring harness?Do I need to disconnect any wiring when removing the old seat?Do I need a special wiring harness to install an aftermarket radio?Is the mower powerful enough for thick or tall grass?Do I need to rebuild the carburetor if the car runs rough?Will oil leaks affect battery or motor performance?Is mounting an FPV camera on a mower safe?Will a modern Bluetooth head unit physically fit in a 1965 Mustang dash?Is the neutral safety switch the same as the shifter bushing?What safety steps should I take before working under the Mustang?What safety precautions should I take before disassembling the chainsaw?How much does this repair typically cost?Can I use toggle switches for all dash functions?How long does a basic dash rewire typically take?How long does it take to recharge the mower batteries?What safety precautions are important when working with the fuel tank?What should I check first if a classic car runs poorly on a test drive?Can I replicate these modifications as a DIYer?What engine and drivetrain are in the car?Can I bolt the winch mount instead of welding?How do I wire the winch safely to the battery?What maintenance should I do after installation?How do I ensure the mount is safe for recovery loads?What are the essential tools I must have?Can I replace existing fluorescent fixtures with integrated LED fixtures?How do you route wiring from roof-mounted panels?How do I wire multiple panels together?How much cooling can I expect for a garage?How should I orient the solar panel?Can I drive the needles with an Arduino or do I need a CAN interface?Can a firmware update fix inverter problems?How did I determine the rack had a structural flaw?How can I prevent similar issues in my solar setup?Can any UPS be run off solar?How long does the mower run on a single battery?How can I prevent a similar incident?How do I size the actuator (force and stroke)?What voltage actuator is used and can my mower battery handle it?How do I test the completed string before connecting to the inverter?How can I test the repair before trusting it long-term?What should I do immediately if a car catches fire while I'm working on it?How long did the final assembly/testing take?How should the winch be wired to the vehicle?Can I mount the winch in a 2" receiver or do I need a special hitch?What caused the unexpected issue and how do I troubleshoot?What electrical protections are required?Can I connect the last panel while panels are exposed to sunlight?How did the fire start?How accurate will the gauges be compared to OEM?What was the most likely cause of the failure?What winch capacity should I get?How do I size the solar panels and battery?What hitch class do I need to mount a winch?How should I wire the winch to the battery safely?Can I leave the winch mounted all the time?What maintenance does the winch and rope need?What hitch class is required for a hitch-mounted winch?
Parts (50)
| 3.5" TFT LCD display (for digital gauges) | generic |
| Microcontroller (Arduino/Teensy/Pro Micro) | generic/Arduino/Teensy |
| Analog gauge movements (stepper/servo driven pointers) - set of 3 | generic |
| CAN bus adapter (MCP2515) / OBD interface | generic |
| Wire, connectors, butt-splices, shrink tubing | |
| 3D printed cluster panel / PLA filament and finishing supplies | |
| LED backlighting strip and diffusion film | |
| Paint / primer / vinyl for face finishing | |
| Dash wiring harness / 12V wiring kit | |
| Mini fuse block / fuse panel | |
| Assorted wire kit (multiple gauges/colors) | |
| Toggle switches (set of 4) | |
| Ignition switch (replacement) | |
| Heat shrink tubing & solder kit | |
| Assorted terminals, butt connectors, and multi-pin connectors | |
| Labeling materials (labels/marker) | |
| Relays (set of 2) | |
| 12V Linear Actuator (electric) | |
| Front loader bucket (steel) | |
| Mounting brackets / angle iron (fabrication materials) | |
| Pivot pins / clevis pins / lynch pins | |
| Wiring harness: relay, switch, fuse, fuse holder, wire, connectors | |
| Fasteners (bolts, nuts, washers) | |
| Steel stock for reinforcement / extra fabrication | |
| Grease / anti-seize / lubrication | |
| Universal tailgate reverse camera (waterproof) | |
| 50 ft RCA video extension / camera harness | |
| 4 AWG amp power wire kit (includes ground wire) | |
| Inline fuse holder and 100A fuse | |
| Grommet / rubber pass-through (tailgate hinge area) | |
| Ring terminals and butt connectors kit (insulated) | |
| Zip ties and wire loom | |
| Heat shrink tubing / solder sleeve | |
| Add-a-circuit or wire tap for reverse light trigger | |
| 4ft LED shop light (integrated fixture) | |
| Romex / 14-2 electrical wire (50 ft) | |
| Standard single-pole light switch | |
| Motion/occupancy sensor switch (optional) | |
| Small electrical junction box | |
| Mounting hardware (screws, anchors, brackets) | |
| Assorted wire connectors (wire nuts) | |
| Aftermarket Bluetooth head unit (1-DIN or 2-DIN) | Generic/Aftermarket (e.g., Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood) |
| Aftermarket radio wiring harness adapter (Ford classic car to aftermarket) | Metra/Scosche/Generic |
| Antenna adapter | Generic |
| Dash mounting kit / trim plate | Metra/Scosche/Generic |
| Replacement speakers (optional, pair) | Generic (e.g., Polk, JBL) |
| Clear acrylic sheet (for lens/cover) | |
| Custom vinyl gauge faces/decals | |
| SMD LED strips / indicator LEDs | |
| Microcontroller / CAN interface (e.g., Arduino/board to drive LEDs/needles) |
Tools (50)
| Multimeter | Generic |
| Socket wrench set | Generic |
| Drill / drill bits | |
| Wire stripper / crimper | Generic |
| Soldering iron | |
| Heat gun | |
| Screwdriver set (Phillips & flat) | Generic |
| Files and sandpaper | |
| Trim/panel removal tools | Generic |
| Soldering iron and heat shrink | Generic |
| Electrical tape / zip ties | Generic |
| Rotary tool (Dremel-style) | Dremel |
| Socket and wrench set | |
| Screwdriver set | |
| Wire fish tape / puller | |
| Wire crimper / strippers | |
| Soldering iron / soldering station | |
| Rotary tool / Dremel | |
| Digital multimeter | |
| 3D printer (or template cutting tools) | |
| Files / sandpaper | |
| Socket set / wrenches | |
| MIG/TIG welder | |
| Angle grinder / cutoff wheel | |
| Drill and metal drill bits | |
| Measuring tape / marker / square | |
| Bench or hand vise | |
| Hammer / punch | |
| Socket set and ratchet (metric) | generic |
| Wire stripper/crimper | generic |
| Soldering iron (optional) | generic |
| Trim panel pry tools | generic |
| Multimeter / test light | generic |
| Fish tape / flexible pull wire | generic |
| Stopwatch / smartphone timer | |
| Camera / action camera | |
| Cordless drill / driver | |
| Tape measure | |
| Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) | |
| Ladder | |
| Wire strippers | |
| Voltage tester / non-contact voltage detector | |
| Socket set | |
| Floor jack and jack stands | |
| Impact wrench (air or electric) | |
| Breaker bar / torque wrench | |
| Vacuum gauge / handheld carb tester | |
| Grinder / cutting tools and welding gear | |
| Torque wrench | |
| Jack Stands / Floor Jack |