Wiring question.

[chuzzlewit]

I'm fitting a buzzer and a water flow sensor to warn me as soon as there is any obstruction to the flow of cooling sea water to my diesel. I need a positive electrical source which comes on only when the ignition is switched on. Where do you suggest? Thanks.

 

[nigelmercier]

How about the ignition circuit?

 

[Sandyman]

How about the ignition circuit?

cor excellent idea

 

[chuzzlewit]

How about the ignition circuit?

Good idea! Do I start looking at the engine end or the ignition switch end. I'm really pretty clueless.

 

[skipmac]

Good idea! Do I start looking at the engine end or the ignition switch end. I'm really pretty clueless.

The ignition circuits from the switch go from the switch to the engine so you could source power from an ignition switched source at either end.

Where will you install the warning buzzer? If in the cockpit so the person at the helm will be warned then I assume it will be somewhere close to the ignition panel so maybe easier to start there. But at the same time the flow sensor will probably be located in the engine compartment so you could put the whole bit in there if the alarm will be loud enough to hear outside.

 

[chuzzlewit]

The ignition circuits from the switch go from the switch to the engine so you could source power from an ignition switched source at either end.

Where will you install the warning buzzer? If in the cockpit so the person at the helm will be warned then I assume it will be somewhere close to the ignition panel so maybe easier to start there. But at the same time the flow sensor will probably be located in the engine compartment so you could put the whole bit in there if the alarm will be loud enough to hear outside.

 

[chuzzlewit]

Thanks. The buzzer will be in the cockpit: so I'll poke around the ignition switch with a multimeter tomorrow

 

[nigelmercier]

I suggest you start with a wiring diagram.