1961 PV544 Project - Update 17

Introduction To Our Wiring System

By Frank Colgoni

We've, once again, decided to use a Ron Francis Wiring wiring system for this project. We've had great success with Ron Francis wiring products in the past including the predecessor of their current Express System (Advantage Series) and EFI products (Telorvek) manufactured and sold by their sister company The Detail Zone.

The Express panel allows for wire termination at the panel and at the accessory which we really like as it permits rough in of the panel without the encumbrance of numerous attached wires. It offers ultimate flexibility in terms of expansion and, if an individual wire were to get damaged, the whole wire from panel to accessory could be replaced.

Here's some info from the Ron Francis site:

"We built these kits to fit your custom application. Wiring is included for the complete car, including starter, alternator, most stock GM, ididit, Flaming River and other brands of steering columns. It will wire full gauge sets including tach; address HEI, points and aftermarket distributors, neutral safety switches, all lighting needed for most safety inspections including high and low beams, indicator lights, parking, turn signal, brake and third brake light. The panel readily accepts fuel injection. The EXPRESS has been simplified over previous models to speed installation. We use HIGH TEMPERATURE fire resistant, color-coded wire with the circuit clearly and legibly printed. A quality headlight switch with wiring is included, as well as an isolated cooling fan relay . Our COLOR CODED INSTRUCTIONS are famous. A unique serial number for each kit enables us to technically support the installation to you or any subsequent owner.
Features Include:
*Clear Coated, Polished Stainless Steel Finish
*18 Circuits on 16 Fuses
*4 Select-A-Circuits
*Faster Installation with New Style Terminal Block
*Cooling Fan Relay Included
*Only the Best Quality Wire and Terminals
*Proper Size Heavy Wire for Each Circuit
*Handles 100 Amp - or higher - Alternators
*Serial Number
*Includes the Proper Connectors & Terminals
*Clear, Simple, Color Coded Instructions
The Express is a direct replacement for all previous Ron Francis Wiring kits. It has a very similar bag structure to the past models. All variations of alternator, distributor and steering column are available. Along with the cooling fan wiring and the Multi-Connection Battery Juntion Block, it has 16 fuses, 4 of them select-a-circuit, and 18 Circuits for complete flexibility in building it your way."

We have roughed in the panel and will cover that in an upcoming update.

Here's a look at our kit:

Below: Here's what we saw when we opened our box

Below: The next five photos are of the Express panel itself. The only pre-terminated wire is the battery feed.

Note that the fourth bank of fuses (on the right) relate to the four Select-a-Circuit(s) featured on this and other Ron Francis panels. This feature allows for the selection of the circuit to be fed by either battery or igntion. e.g. if you wanted your power windows to operate remotely in absence of ignition activation, you would remove the fuse and move it left to the battery ("BAT") slot. The termination point remains unchanged.

Below: Synergy Series Headlight switch with interchangeable trim rings (if desired).

Below: Synergy Series Ignition switch and keys.

Below: A typical sealed wiring bag with specific instructions.

Below: Color-coded coil high temperature/fire resistant wire removed from its bag to show printed wire detail and connectors.

Below: In addition to bag-specific instructions, general instructions and a comprehensive color-coded generic wiring diagram are provided.

Below: Complete wiring diagram.

Below: Detail from the wiring diagram. To learn more about this system and the complete range of Ron Francis products, follow the link in the Resources section below.

Resources:
Ron Francis Wiring

Next: More on steering / pedals