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Where is the best to get power for the heater fan on my 46 1/2 ton. I've had the heater in the truck for a long tiom just never needed it. I guess it's about time I hooked it up.

Thanks George

Back when men were real men, you didn't have a heater. No factory installed heater. A heater was optional.

The link to a previous discussion:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1140805/1946_Chevrolet_Truck_heater.html

A fused heater switch mounts to the bottom of the dash.
The heater takes a lot of current so I suspect it was not connected to the ignition switch.
Most likely the ammeter.
Forgetting and leaving the heater on would run down the battery.
I would add a relay that is operated by the ignition switch.

IF YOU STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL WIRING SCHEME and voltage.


The proper wiring for your year would be wire from IGN Switch "On" terminal to inline 10A fuse, from fuse to Heater switch, thru switch to heater fan motor.

1946 Chevrolet truck didn't show a heater in the wiring diagram because a heater wasn't installed at the factory.
It would be an optional or add-on kit GM or other company. The installation sheet would be inside the box.

Agreed.

Wire it per my post. Including my caveat.

My 54 1/2 ton is wired the way bartamos described.

Thanks everyone. I thought that I should hook it up to the IGN switch but I didn't think about a fuse. Looks like I'll have to russel up an inline fuse before I get started.

Thanks again
George

Just in case you don't already have one, the original heater switch is also a rheostat for fan speed control.

Different heater "kits" had different switches. Mostly two speed (three position) with a built in "fixed" resistor. There may have been some with a variable resistor for infinite speeds with (rheostat for current) (pot for voltage)

George,
You did not say which heater you have. The connection described by Bartamos is correct for any heater..
Here is a page from the Chevy Accessories Handbook showing the heater GM sold from 1934-1946. Yes, there were a lot of different heaters used but this is the Harrison from GM.
They also sold the defroster (which needs a separate switch) that mated to the heater. Photo attached. A photo of the Heater and Defroster switch is also attached.
Harold

Original (or replacement switch) is a 3 speed.

Courtesy: Brad Allen.........THE MASTER GURU EXPERT ON THESE SWITCHES.

Correct switch says Delco-Remy on the side if it does not say anything it is usually the Cole-Hersee version. ARK LES made a lot of switches, however it is not the correct switch, but no one would probably know.

Here is what I know, you can draw whatever conclusions you wish.
Heaters for AD trucks are accessories not factory options, they carry a part number not an RPO (see the 1947-48 exception to this rule in my later post). There are three distinct heater types, the early version in some 47-48's that was a carryover from the 1941-46 years. This heater when equipped with the defroster (Deluxe) comes with two Delco or Cole-Hersee switches.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/15859483512/in/set-72157631868452754
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/15860119645/in/set-72157631868452754
The recirculating unit comes with the one switch, all of these I have seen have been Delco.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129444438/in/set-72157631868452754
The Air-Flow style unit again comes with a switch as part of the kit I have seen Cole-Hersee and Delco.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129413707/in/set-72157631868452754
The unit comes with all the parts to install because nothing is installed on the line, block-off plates cover the holes, the rest is not included. This is a flat rate job with price guides quoting both the installed and list (unit) price.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8131119579/in/set-72157631872034068
For dealer (or owner) installed heaters other than the three mentioned above there were numerous manufacturers, Alvin, Montgomery-Ward, Firestone, Sears, B.F. Goodrich, etc. you could have any number of switch and installation parts included of course. https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8377831744/in/set-72157631868452754
Now if a dealer bought his own GM manufactured units (complete kits) which makes sense since they are a dealer (expected to purchase a yearly defined quota). Those units were assembled and distributed by the General Motors Parts Division (many NOS parts are marked this way) those units in my experience contain Delco or Cole-Hersee switches, not Ark-Les.
For comparative purposes in the period of time I am talking about, GM was the second largest employer in the world (Soviet State Industries was first). In 1955 GM became the first company to pay over $1billion in yearly taxes. They had the necessary divisional products (or partner products) to fill these kits and their dealer's parts shelves.

Just a point of clarification on correct switches for these heaters. The correct switch as discussed varies with heater type. The correct switch is the flat Delco or Cole-Hersee, rotary switches were not furnished with the recirculating, air flow or the 1947 version of the standard or deluxe heater carryover kits. There are a couple reasons for this:
1. The dash is punched to accept this switch and the adjoining hole is for the corresponding fog light switch, also flat so they go side-by-side.
2. It makes no sense to offer other brands when you have divisional alternatives available.
While I agree a lighted switch is a handy item they are not the correct switch in this application.
Air flow hardware.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129413707/in/set-72157631868452754
Recirculating hardware.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129444438/in/set-72157631868452754
1947 Standard/Deluxe hardware.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129307001/in/set-72157631868452754
Fog light switch.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129466604/in/set-72157631868452754