Alternative fuel pump wiring

[just plain john]

Hello all, I would like some opinions about wiring the fuel pump. My build is an 87 LC2 into an 81 El Camino. I've been following the boards for a while, and it seems to me that the hot wire kit that is commonly installed is there to eliminate some of the connections in the harness that collectively cause a drop in voltage. Am I thinking correctly? I need to provide power to the pump, and since I have no harness at all in the car could I just go straight from the relay to the pump? Is the voltage at the relay output less than alternator voltage? Couldn't I just run a #10 from the pump along the frame rail to the relay and eliminate the need for a hotwire kit? Discuss.......

 

[meanchicken]

Just install a hotwire kit.
It's a proven solution and it's cheap. Also an easy install.
Casper's Electronics | Cotton's Performance Buick Grand National Parts & Service

 

[just plain john]

Thing is, I have no factory circuit to trigger the hot wire relay to begin with. I have to make one. I'm in the build stage so I can't measure voltage at the relay yet, but if it's 13.x and goes directly to the pump would the hotwire benefit me? I can't say for sure that the hotwire will even reach, as my wheelbase is 5 inches longer than a TR

 

[Nick Micale]

......... I need to provide power to the pump, and since I have no harness at all in the car could I just go straight from the relay to the pump? Is the voltage at the relay output less than alternator voltage? Couldn't I just run a #10 from the pump along the frame rail to the relay and eliminate the need for a hotwire kit? Discuss.......

You are correct in just wiring a relay to power the pump, and it can be located near the pump or battery power source.

When we do this, pump power and ground are taken directly from the battery, NOT through the car frame or aux power source. We use #10 wire with a 30 amp fuse.

You can use #16 to the relay for activation signal and power, and the power side should be fused.

 

[just plain john]

Thanks Nick, I appreciate the reply.