The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
Fixing the old truck

BUSY BOLTERS
Are you one?

Where is it?? The Shop Area

continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
2 members (Mike Lee, LAROKE), 439 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics126,777
Posts1,039,270
Members48,100
Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#1070364 11/26/2014 11:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 255
W
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
W Offline
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 255
My 1950 3800 has the foot-stomp starter and I'm converting to 12 volt. My original ignition switch has 2 positions, but three posts on the back. One for Batt, another for ignition (running), but whats the third post for?

When I got the truck there was no radio, no heater fan switch, and nothing connected to that third post on the ignition switch. Is that where accessories like the radio and fan are powered?

Thanks - Bruce

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 255
W
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
W Offline
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 255
Ok, reading through some posts from 2012, it looks like that third post is for the accessories. I'll hook her up and see how hot that post is.

Bruce

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,059
5
Renaissance Man
Renaissance Man
5 Offline
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,059
If you use that third post for accessories, make sure you don't use the accessories without the engine running. With the key on and the engine isn't running, the coil is energized and you will eventually 'let the smoke out' of your coil, as they say.
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 255
W
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
W Offline
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 255
Hmmmm.... Is there a way to avoid this fate Carl?

Bruce

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 888
F
'Bolter
'Bolter
F Offline
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 888
On my 2 position switch the terminal that points down is for power and the two upper terminals are both switched at the same time so accessories should not be powered with switch off. Use a voltmeter or test light to verify.


Ed
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
The only way to run Accessories with the stock switch is to hook them to the Battery post. And use a switch in line to turn them on and off. But, beware, they can run down the battery when you use them. Do not leave the key "On" with the truck not running. The coil, or the points will suffer.


Steve H

Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0
(Release build 20240826)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 8.3.11 Page Time: 4.713s Queries: 14 (0.060s) Memory: 0.6132 MB (Peak: 0.6633 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2025-09-22 10:06:05 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS