*I searched but came up with nothing*

I'm in the process of making a switch panel for my "daily driver turned track car by unfortunate circumstances" - haha.

Im just interested in what common switches are used on the panel. I have a main ignition switch and push start I am wiring, I also have switches for acc.1 & 2, fuel pump and a battery disconnect.

What am I missing, or other common setups?

Thanks

 

Fan(s) for the engine, any lights if you removed the light stalk, defrost if you removed the controls for that, and wipers I guess, again if you removed the wiper stalk from the steering column.

 

I plan on ditching the stock - so I guess I should add lights and wipers. Turn signals also perhaps.

And I should have a switch for the fan to be on constant correct?

 

I think you will want the fan to be manual. The fan does not spin fast enough at speed. The air flow without the fan at speed will do a better job. You will want the fan running a idle, off on the track.

 

so do make a switch for the fan or dont

 

yes

 

coooooolll....

 

Yes, the switch for the fan will be just an "on/off" switch. If this is going to be a track-only car, don't worry about turn signals. For a switch panel, you want to just turn things on/off when absolutely necessary. It'd be a major pain in the *** reaching over, flipping the switch up, then flipping it back again when you're done. Just use hand signals if anything. At the track though, there are tons of racecars without anything remotely resembling turns signals, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

sweet, one less switch to buy

 

I was thinking...do I even really need two acc. switches?

Or could I just have one to turn accesory 2 on?

 

Que? What are your ACC switches turning on?

 

accesory switch would simulate the key being to the 'on' position...

 

Uh...oh. What for? Just need fuel, power, and ignition to start it. Prime the fuel pump, hold down the ignition, and let 'er eat.

 

After searching for an existing panel for a long time for my racecar, I finally bought and am very happy with my QuickCar switch panel with a push button starter then five toggle switches each with their own spade fuses. From left to right I have:

Starter Button- Ignition Power- Fuel Pump- Fan - Alternator - Transponder

My Master Power/Battery Cutoff switch is elsewhere. My ignition switch actually powers up a second fuse block that has seperate engine based circuits. Every single circuit has it's own fuse. Only my brake lights have power if the Master Power switch is on but everything else is off. I also have a small idiot light that comes on if the alternator is not making power. I have been burned by a non-functional alternator in a race so I'd like to know if it is not making juice. I also have a switch to cut off the alternator power for any reason like the delusion that having that wee bit less parasitic engine drag will help me catch the guy ahead.

I have a seperate hole elsewhere in the dash within easy reach of a belted in driver for the wipers but I have not installed a switch yet as I haven't decided if I can keep my multiple speeds but it is not a priority.

 

wow, thanks lee, sounds like a good setup. Not sure if i'll need the alternator switch though.

Also, how necessary is it that each switch has its own fuse? And how hard would that be to encorporate into a custom design...I'm building this myself and its my first time

 

There are a few companies that have semi-premade setups available for not too much money. My brother uses Painless Wiring stuff, and that's worked out real well for him. The individual fuses thing is hugely helpful for diagnosing/dealing with any kind of problem. I don't see how that'd be difficult to wire in, but even if it is, I'd say it's worth it. That way too, when your fan blows, it doesn't also blow out the alternator and fuel pump, for example.

 

yea, seems like fuses are a must...i'll go ahead and plan for that also

 

Not to thread jack but I think this might be useful info for others as well.
I'm in the process of rewiring my dash and installing a master switch. Do you have any advice/resources on how you are planning on running things or types of switches to use? Where are you buying your components?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stinkycheezmonky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There are a few companies that have semi-premade setups available for not too much money. My brother uses Painless Wiring stuff, and that's worked out real well for him. The individual fuses thing is hugely helpful for diagnosing/dealing with any kind of problem. I don't see how that'd be difficult to wire in, but even if it is, I'd say it's worth it. That way too, when your fan blows, it doesn't also blow out the alternator and fuel pump, for example.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with the monky. If something fails, nothing else is effected and thus easier to track down. I was at first going to do my own switch panel design but once I bought the good toggles, cut holes, etc. it became obvious that an already built panel was a better value, less time and tidier looking than what I would have done myself. So I looked around and am glad i bought this one. Don't recall what it cost but it is well made and reliable at not much money. the auxilliery fuse block powered by the Ign. Switch is made by Painless I think originally meant to be a supplementary block to be used in hot rods or drag cars and not really a stand alone system. I have always had wiring phobias but I am quite happy with my system and I did it myself. Maybe the aux. fuse block was a bit over overkill but i like the simplicity of the system and totally seperate curcuits.

 

left, right, front, rear, and hop.

All da switchaZ joo need


fuel pump
ignition
lights
fan
oil pump
those are the main ones i always see.

 

oil pump?

 

I'm pretty sure most oil pumps are driven mechanically, not electrically...

 

^^ thats what I thought...

anyway, i appreciate the info guys - road racing forum seems to be way nicer than the majority of ht =p

 

I just found this panel if anyone is interested:

http://www.quickcar.net/ign_panels/icp20.html

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IGGY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.quickcar.net/ign_panels/icp20.html</TD></TR></TABLE>
Mine is just like the second one down ICP20 but 5 circuits and fuses instead of 6, plus my panel is black instead of the flag print. I'm happy I bought it.