Battery Isolator

[gmazza2]

I am installing a battery isolator in my '88 gmc 1500 4x4. My particular alternator (CS Series) requires an EXCITOR wire to be attached. The plug that came with the isolator is supposed to run from the excitor post on the isolator to an empty IGN slot on the fuse box. My problem is that there are no empty IGN slots on the fuse box. Is there a way I can tap into the IGN circuit through the fuse block? If so...how?

 

Thanks for the help!

[gmazza2]

Can I tap into the ignition circuit by sliding a terminal under the fuse?????

[GM-Tech]

Can I tap into the ignition circuit by sliding a terminal under the fuse?????

 

You wouldn't be the first, but I don't recommend it. It can spread the terminal, cause poor tension, high resistance and before you know it, the heat generated has melted the plastic in the fuse block and now you gotta replace the entire wiring harness just to fix it.

 

Look under the dash, against the firewall, right about where your left foot would go if you slid it up under there. Seems to me there was a plastic block under there where you could get ground, power, etc. But '88 is a ways back and I really don't recall if your year/model had that.

 

Otherwise, I'd find a wire under the dash that's hot with the key in the run position and tap into that. Everything is protected by fuses, so you shouldn't cause any problems that way.

[BBSilverado]

I am installing a battery isolator in my '88 gmc 1500 4x4.  My particular alternator (CS Series) requires an EXCITOR wire to be attached.  The plug that came with the isolator is supposed to run from the excitor post on the isolator to an empty IGN slot on the fuse box.  My problem is that there are no empty IGN slots on the fuse box.  Is there a way I can tap into the IGN circuit through the fuse block?  If so...how? 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

You need one of these:

NAPA has them and the are called "add a circuit"

You simply remove a fuse, install this in its place, the fuse you removed will go into the fuse holder on the device and a second fuse will go beside it to protect the added line.

[gmazza2]

Thank you for the smart reply and the picture. there is a box next to my left foot that I have studied and made no sense of. The closest thing I can think of (after looking at the trucks wiring diagram) is the pink wire with orange connector is the ignition wire going into that box. Would I be correct in saying that the empty slot next to the slot with the pink wire is also an ignition slot marked orange for the ignition circuit?

[GM-Tech]

Thank you for the smart reply and the picture.  there is a box next to my left foot that I have studied and made no sense of.  The closest thing I can think of (after looking at the trucks wiring diagram) is the pink wire with orange connector is the ignition wire going into that box.  Would I be correct in saying that the empty slot next to the slot with the pink wire is also an ignition slot marked orange for the ignition circuit?

 

I'm a little confused what you mean, but let me say that for the most part, on GM vehicles, pink is usually ignition power and orange is battery power. You need a test light and then you can tell for sure on that box.