Mopars By Crane harness saver

[firefighter3931]

Has anybody used one of these harness savers yet ? I saw an add in a MCG magazine and this looks like a nice little safety item to help protect a vulnerable component on our cars. What do you guys think ?


I'm seriously considering getting one and will be doing the headlight relay upgrade as well. 


http://moparsbycrane.com/page/mhm5/New_Parts.html




Ron

[hemihead]

Might be something there 

[BrianShaughnessy]

I bought it at Carlisle just so I could take it and show it to Rick.   He wasn't that impressed for the $ - it wouldn't be bad for about $25.  It's half azz based on that extra cable deal he put on in MA years back.

Using the relay to put the ignition system on is a cool idea as you could run an msd box or something that takes more juice without worrying about frying your ignition switch.    I used the kit for the 70up that they told me I should get.

Putting it in was problematic because they didn't include a schematic and instead had a confusing page full of instructions.     It didn't work first time out.    I had to rewire the relay to get it to work the correct way - at least according to me.

MBC had their "engineer" email me but apparently he didn't get it either       Or I just don't get what he's trying to say.

Brian,



Don Crane called me about the difficulties you are experiencing with our Harness Preserver kit.  My understanding is that you have worked the kit to get it to function.  I would like to work with you to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase. 


The kit you purchased is for an unmolested, stock 1970-up B & E-body.  Don told me you have a 1969 B-Body and you have added the 1970-up style 2-field connection alternator and the flat rectangular voltage regulator.


If you have not already done so, here is what I recommend.


In your original 1969 wiring harness, there was a blue or black wire that had a push-on type connector that went to the original, stock point type regulator.  The white wire from the Harness Preserver relay harness needs to be connected to this wire.  The yellow wire in the Harness Preserver relay harness needs to be in the original position or there will be current to the alternator and regulator all the time and your battery will eventually go dead.  The blue wire from the Harness Preserver relay harness needs to go to the blue wire on the 1970-up style regulator connector you installed AND the wire you added to go to the other alternator field connection.  Make sure the case of the voltage regulator is well grounded and there is a #12 Gauge or heavier stranded or braided wire from the engine to the body. 


To test that everything is OK, turn the ignition key to ON but do not start the engine.  Check for 12 volts at the voltage regulator blue wire and the wire you added to the alternator.  If 12 volts is at both spots, turn the key off and check to make sure the 12 volts is no longer at these spots.


If you have any more issues or just questions, please email me.


My apologies for your difficulties and your patience to work with us.


By the way, we have just released a kit to convert a point type regulator and alternator to the 1970-up style with the Harness Preserver features included (less the voltage regulator and alternator) . It is available exclusively through Mopars By Crane. 


Once again,


Thank you for your purchase and preserving some very important vehicles.


Paul

=

Anyhow... I got it to work.   The ammeter was fairly useless after that.   It's now a voltmeter as of this week.

[firefighter3931]

Using the relay to put the ignition system on is a cool idea as you could run an msd box or something that takes more juice without worrying about frying your ignition switch.    I used the kit for the 70up that they told me I should get.

Anyhow... I got it to work.   The ammeter was fairly useless after that.   It's now a voltmeter as of this week.

Brian, thanks for the feedback.  The description on their website is rather vague....not much technical information. 

So if i'm understanding what you're saying this is just basicly an ignition systrm relay and nothing more ?

An MSD box is powered directly off the battery with just a trigger switch from the stock harness so there's no significant load on the oem wiring. That being the case, this product would be of little benefit for someone like me ? Your opinion ?

Are you running an MP ignition box ? (Chrome or orange )


Thanks, Ron

[Plumcrazy]

Technically I think it a good idea, especially if you've added extra alternator capacity and accessories.

But if all you get is whats in the picture for $69 I wouldn't buy it, I've got all those things sitting in my garage right now.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Using the relay to put the ignition system on is a cool idea as you could run an msd box or something that takes more juice without worrying about frying your ignition switch.    I used the kit for the 70up that they told me I should get.

Anyhow... I got it to work.   The ammeter was fairly useless after that.   It's now a voltmeter as of this week.

Brian, thanks for the feedback.  The description on their website is rather vague....not much technical information. 

So if i'm understanding what you're saying this is just basicly an ignition systrm relay and nothing more ?

An MSD box is powered directly off the battery with just a trigger switch from the stock harness so there's no significant load on the oem wiring. That being the case, this product would be of little benefit for someone like me ? Your opinion ?

Are you running an MP ignition box ? (Chrome or orange )


Thanks, Ron

Well... it's a premade hunk of 10 guage to go from the alt to the starter relay,  and some other pieces to wire a relay in.   And some confusing instructions.   Like I said... for $25 - OK maybe.    I bought it cause I wanted Rick to see the thing.   He didn't think it was worth it for a tech article.   Here's a link to his article descirbing running another wire to the alternator from the starter relay. http://allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical.html

OK - thanks for the info on the msd box wiring... I run a chrome box.   You could probably run the msd box off the starter relay stud also as it's the same logical point as the + post on the battery. 

For whats it's worth... you cut the hot ignition lead (N) to trigger the relay and the relay output goes to the other half  to the ballast and volt reg. 

[Paul G]

It's just a relay and a piece of wire. Nacho has a drawing to run new wires through a grommet in the firewall from the alternator stud to the fuse box main feed wire, and from the start relay to the amp gauge. These new wires shunt the load away from the bulkhead connections. That is about the best thing you can do to save the bulkhead connector and provide adequate power to the fuse box and accessories. And still retain accurate use of the factory amp gauge if you want to.

This thread of Nacho's should be stickied to the top of the electric section.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,33574.0.html