Good Earthing

[jandarah]

Since recently joining the group and from reading elsewhere, I notice that many of the electrical issues point to poor and inadequate earthing. This is more so, if you have the battery in the rear of the vehicle (boot in Australia, trunk in the US). Fiat, in their wisdom, decided that only the positive lead needed to come forward, with the negative earth relying solely on the body for conduction. This has to take into account the panel joins, grease, paint, etc.

In my beast, I purchased some welding cable and ran the negative lead with the positive to the front, grounding it on the body and, in my case the engine at the oil filter mounting nuts. This coupled with start washers at all grounding points, has made for good lighting, a gutsy starter motor and wipers.

It is not a difficult job, with a couple of holes having to be made front and back. Oh, I did retain the body ground at the battery box.

Cheers from Australia,

John
1977 Spyder 1800cc with twin 40 IDF Webers.

[Odoyle]

Since recently joining the group and from reading elsewhere, I notice that many of the electrical issues point to poor and inadequate earthing. This is more so, if you have the battery in the rear of the vehicle (boot in Australia, trunk in the US). Fiat, in their wisdom, decided that only the positive lead needed to come forward, with the negative earth relying solely on the body for conduction. This has to take into account the panel joins, grease, paint, etc.

In my beast, I purchased some welding cable and ran the negative lead with the positive to the front, grounding it on the body and, in my case the engine at the oil filter mounting nuts. This coupled with start washers at all grounding points, has made for good lighting, a gutsy starter motor and wipers.

It is not a difficult job, with a couple of holes having to be made front and back. Oh, I did retain the body ground at the battery box.

Cheers from Australia,

John
1977 Spyder 1800cc with twin 40 IDF Webers.

Very cool! Could you post some photos of your set-up

[jandarah]

As far as the negative cable, there is not much too see, but I will try. I have also installed a battery switch up front to isolate the battery. It is annoying th have to pull off the rear battery box to disconnect the battery, when doing work up front. I think that it is meant for marine applications, so it is heavy duty. I will try a get a photo.

Enjoy your Spyders,

John in Oz

1977 1800cc with twin 40IDF Webers.