69 Electric Choke 12V Power Source

[ernie d]

Hi guys,

I am converting my 69 Big Block with Holley 4150 from manual choke to electric choke. What do you suggest is the best (fused if possible) 12V power lead that only gets voltage when engine is running?

Thanks,

Ernie

 

[JohnZ]

There should be a cavity in the fuse block with a spade in it marked "IGN" - that's fused 12 volts, ignition-switched; power it from there.

 

[Roy]

I spliced mine into the wire that feeds the heater blower - you know, the one that is constantly "on" when the car is running. This leaves you with less than two feet of open area to run the wire to the carb. Actually you can hide most if not all of it in existing wire loom.

 

[JohnZ]

Powering it from the heater blower wire is AFTER the heater blower resistor, so it isn't getting 12 volts wired that way. The electric choke requires a full 12 volts for full choke authority and operating adjustment range.

 

[Roy]

John,

I just checked the voltage at the wire. Keep in mind, my Corvette is sitting in a cold garage and hasn't been started in over a month.

Volts at carberator: 11.2
Volts at alternator feed: 11.3
Volts at battery: 11.4 - 11.5

Conclusion 1: I need to connect my Battery Tender.
Conclusion 2: There ain't beans differance in the voltage output when taking the power off the igintion-controlled feed to the heater blower.

Hook up the electric choke to anything you like. The blower motor feed wire (the one that runs no matter what position the heater switch is in which makes me and my volt meter think that there is no resistance in this line) works just fine OR you can stand on your head under the dash, connect a new wire to the fuse block (lots of room to work in and a whole lot of fun) poke a new hole through the already duboius intergity of the fiberglass firewall and then fish the wire around the block to the carb.

Either way will work just fine.

Roy in Sunny Portland, Oregon

 

[The73vetteman]

Wherever you get the 12V from, Holley advise using an in-line fuse. I'd have to say that that's an excellent idea.

'73

 

[ernie d]

Thanks everyone, great input. I did end up tapping into fused IGN terminal lead out of the fuse block. All's well, it's nice to start it up and have it not stall without 10 minutes of revvin' er up.