2 simple questions

[p24-1953]

1. i am needing to hide a simple on/off switch for the electric fan in the dash of the plymouth. so as im looking at my dash i keep going to the lighter..... when the lighter is pushed in it completes a path....pulled out the path is broken... so if i removed the lead wire from the alt. and connect this wire as part of the ground path using the lighter to complete the ground path. wouldnt my lighter would be my switch..... the positive would be always connected. wouldnt this work? is this a bad idea?

2. if this is a bad idea how do you remove the lighter from the dash? i will just install the flip switch in the exg. hole. i have twisted, pulled and tugged but it wouldnt come out.

[greg g]

at the left end of the dash near the hood release cable there is a hole under the edge of the dash. A simple push pull or toggle switch will fit in the hole, power it off the acc terminal of the ign switch and then run the other wire through the firewall. wher the hood relese hole is. An inline fuse between the ign and the toggle and you should be good to go.

[p24-1953]

thats where i installed the overdrive toggle from george asche, and i dont want to drill another hole

[Jim Saraceno]

Even if the lighter completes the circuit, it would have all the resistance of the heater element.

[Plymouthy Adams]

and automatically disconnect when the element get hot enough an pops out....

in your ac install, did you remove the original control panel beneath the dash center? This a single speed fan switch....if not is the speeds for your fan wires into the windings or is it resistor pack controlled? what is the amperage draw on this motor..

Edited September 12, 2010 by Tim Adams

[james49ply]

if you use the lighter as a ground circuit for a relay the eliment will not get hot at all. cannot be used to complete a hot circuit as the element is grounded to the shell and then dash.

[claybill]

at this point why worry about a small hole under the dash. I certainly wouldnt bugger with the lighter..!

bill

[Plymouthy Adams]

If you really think about it...your knobs match that of the earlier 52 Plymouths..the earlier switch and matchng knob can therefore be used in your car and really not look out of place at all..granted another hold in the dash..but matching knobs would hide that fact..

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think I have what you need here.matching dash knob to your others...sent PM with phone number..

[p24-1953]

tim, when i installed the a/c i used a cool only unit so i still have the original controls under the dash and they still work. I should just leave the controls in the glovebox, but it would be nice to be able to turn it on and off with opening the glove box every time. TIm i will give you a call. So far with all the modifications (except the overdrive) it could go back to stock easily.... so i hate to cut into the dash.

[Don Coatney]

A few questions. Is the electric fan used only when the air conditioner is running? Do you still have a belt driven fan for normal engine cooling? Do you have a thermostat controlling the electric fan or simply an on-off switch?

If you are using a thermostat with a relay to control the fan there may already be an axiliary contact on the controller to turn the fan on everytime the air conditioner comes on. The controller I am using has such axiliary contact. But as I dont have air conditioning I wired this contact to a toggle switch mounted in an existing hole in my dash so I can over ride the thermostat and run the fan whenever I feel the need.

If you are not using a thermostat controller then simply use a relay powered by the air conditioner switch to turn the fan on everytime the air conditioner is turned on. By doing this it eliminates the problems that arise when you forget to turn the fan on.

Pictured below is my over ride switch and the thermostatic controller I am using to control my electric fan. I chose this controller as it was the only one I found that has an adjustable temperature range suited to my application.