MEGA Wiring Diagram Assistance Needed

[Redskinsjbs]

Hi All,

Currently I am working on expanding the FSM's Wiring Diagram to Giant proprtions, along the lines of 40" x 40". I hate having to squint in order to read the bloody thing. I am also going to laminate it like JJ Wheatley has. Reason for me doing this is that I can do it for cheaper than buying JJ's would cost, I have plenty of time because of winter break, and I want a large piece of artwork to hang on the wall.
I also plan on including all of the individual circuits in color on the back.

So here are the questions.

What are helpful things to include in a larger version of the wiring diagram?

Are there any notes that need to be added, ie quirks that are not realizable via the original set of diagrams?

Thanks for any input.

I've included a sample of the size I am shooting for. This page prints on standard letter 8.5" x 11" paper and the gauges are the same scale as in the original FSM wiring Diagram.

[biglefti]

This isn't really input, but I like it!

[First opel 1981]

Since you are creating this, and likely in an editable file format (ie. you can change it as needed) then once you publish it, I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback.

Having said that, it would be wonderful if you could add into the wiring diagram the difference in years.
For instance, in the wiring diagram there would be a door open/key in ignition warning circuit that would be noted for the years it applied to. That way the people who are working on their 69 won't be looking for wires that don't exist.

Also, if you were to provide part numbers and/or descriptions that are in plain English for items listed in many wiring diagrams in 1970 engineer verbage.

And, one more thing. Don't hesitate to create a legend for the wire map.

Finally, if you could locate passages through the body where wires would go to help those who haven't done a tear down before, that would mean a lot to many.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs Reason for me doing this is that I can do it for cheaper than buying JJ's would cost, I have plenty of time because of winter break, and I want a large piece of artwork to hang on the wall.

Too much time on your hands! I had one professor that was insistent on us NOT trying to reinvent the wheel. Use it and improve on it maybe. I'll bet JJ could print his diagram in various sizes. Suggestions for improvements? Yes, as good as it is, it could still be improved.

I've included a sample of the size I am shooting for. This page prints on standard letter 8.5" x 11" paper and the gages are the same scale as in the original FSM wiring Diagram.

Are you sure at this scale that you can fit it all in a 40"x40" area?

As noted by a previous poster, making note of the variations in the years would be nice.

Harold

[Redskinsjbs]

Thanks for the input guys.

Currently everything fits in the 3.5' x 3.5' (42" x 42") sheet, but I haven't added any of the notes or what have you. There is a 4 inch or so blank space below the diagram currently, so I will try to include translated engineers notes there.

Stuff to include so far:

-Wire Map Legend

-Translated Engineer Notes

-Year Distinction incorporated into the diagram

-Proper Grouping of Wires (as would be actually seen in a car)


If this all goes well, I may move on to the Manta and Kadett diagrams while the GT one is getting reviews.

[deanh74_2]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs If this all goes well, I may move on to the Manta and Kadett diagrams while the GT one is getting reviews.

This would be a great thing for some of us who are new to this area of Opels.

Dean

[traytodd]

Why such an odd size? Use standard "D" size drafting paper.

[Redskinsjbs]

The 42" is the largest width printer I have access to cheaply.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs If this all goes well, I may move on to the Manta and Kadett diagrams while the GT one is getting reviews.

I haven't really gotten into Manta's and Ascona's yet as my knowledge is very limited. I believe you could lump this to together though. Minor differences being guage packages but then again the SportWagon had the same guage package as the Manta Rallye's.

I like the idea of the larger ones but not sure how practical it will be when actually working on the car.

Personally my eyes aren't what they use to be and I'm wondering if it either needs to be smaller or larger. Smaller so that I can have it in my hands to check things out or MUCH larger so I can read it hanging on the wall.

Good luck with it. Hope you keep us informed on your progress.

Harold

[Dennis Texas]

One thing I like in the FSM is the sheets for specific instruments example being the lighting page, it removes all the clutter and shows just the wiring needed for the lights, I love those drawings and they are the ones I use the most. And each section of instrumentation can neatly fit on a standard 8 X 11 sheet. Right now I have a complete poster I made using 6 sheets and blew the complete 73 FSM drawing up colors and all, since I'm older and blind more than I use to be, it helps a lot. Some print programs allow you to blow up pages to as many sheets as you want, you just have to add them back together together then you have the original drawing in a much larger size I then cover it with a heavy plastic to protect it and allows me to use grease pencils as well. You can also edit the poster before printing it removing or adding whatever you like. Good luck on your project.

[markandson]

I have a large format printer at work but it is only black & white. I printed the pdf that is posted on this site that I made from the FSM pages to 24" x 36" and it is plenty large but still small enough to take into the car and lay down on the seat next to you. Even in B&W it is very easy to trace the circuits.

[BQS4]

I have acess to copiers that handle 50" wide paper, if that helps...

[Redskinsjbs]

I am planning on drawing all of the individual circuits (in color) as featured in the FSM and placeing those on the back of the larger wiring diagram if I can.

Here is a teaser screenshot of the diagram that I am drawing. It is all of the solid brown wires in the GT for the 1973 model year.

[markandson]

What program are you drawing in?

[Redskinsjbs]

Inkscape. Its a free vector drawing program. I have Flash, CorelDraw, and Photoshop, but I prefer inkscape because of its simplicity.

[Redskinsjbs]

I see that JJ just posted that he is offering the wiring diagram as large as you want it. I guess that maybe I had some influence there.

I am so far into this now that I really have to finalize the diagram that I have. drawn, otherwise all of my time would be wasted.

Today I plan to write up the preliminary translation of the engineers' notes. I am still trying to figure out what else to print on the back of the diagram.

Someone mentioned how such a large piece of paper would be ungainly in a car, kind of like trying to read a map while driving. Hence, I am also going to attempt to make the diagrams on the back able to be read while the sheet is folded up. this way, the entire sheet's dimensions don't have to dictate where you can use it.

If anyone has anymore suggestions as to what would make it easier for me in the long run with this diagram, I am all ears.

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas; I wish others a happy last couple nights of Hannukah, and a Happy New Year to all!

[neuropel]

JJ's diagrams are works of art, but unfortunately they're only useful to GT owners. It would be great to have similar pieces available for other Opels, like the Manta/Ascona chassis or Kadetts.

Todd

[opelspyder]

Destec's wiring diagrams are nice, laminated and offer some change suggestions that I think are important, and mostly useful. I like the downsizing of wirers for the headlight microswitches-that saves a lot of room in the main front harness for large amp wires and such. I like to add things without changing the look of the factory harness
Keith

[Redskinsjbs]

So I finished a prototype of my Mega wiring diagram---It is about 4ft square--- and now I have begun the rewiring process.

Today I did the wires running to the rear of the car for the tail lamps and fuel sender. I made a video documenting the installation and another that shows the old and new harness side by side

Old and New Rear Harnesses on Vimeo

Old and New Rear Harnesses on Vimeo

and

The First Wires are In!!! on Vimeo

The First Wires are In!!! on Vimeo

This weekend I think that I will do the headlight wires and see what comes of that.

I am doing my own fusebox setup, but I have the old harnesses so if anyone would like a portion of a harness or a harness (Not the correct colors however) I'd be happy to make them one, or I could post the measurements for all of the wires

[Redskinsjbs]

The Headlamp Harness is Built!

Today I was able to recreate the front wiring harness for the headlamps and horns in my GT using my big wiring Diagram.

Front Wiring Harness on Vimeo

Front Wiring Harness on Vimeo

I do however keep finding little faults in places that I am fixing as I go along.

Things like typos in labels or wires that 'combine' when they are supposed to 'cross'.

So...UPDATES...

- I have some of the engineering talk rewritten in human speak.

- I have the separate wiring diagrams drawn up by themselves

- A rudimentary Wiring Diagram Legend

- Some Ideas on how to show the proper grouping of wires

- Some Ideas on how to show the pass-through points for the various wires in the car


My plans are to keep prototyping while I am rewiring my car. That way I will understand what I want or needed and what would have been helpful to have whilst I was doing the rewiring. I will then post some PDFs or other vector drawings to the interweb and I'll take a couple of Mk 1 Diagrams up to Carlisle for review by my lovely peers.

I have to say, IMHO this thing is pretty impressive, even if it still has some faults. I have just the diagram prototyped right now, and it is so incredibly useful. I can hang it on my fence outside and sit across the drive and contemplate what to do next.

More Updates to come. Any input is always welcomed and accepted

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs The Headlamp Harness is Built! Today I was able to recreate the front wiring harness for the headlamps and horns in my GT using my big wiring Diagram.

When rewiring the headlights, did you add a loop before and after the rotator channel? I did this back on my second one to keep the wires from rubbing when the lights were rotated. I actually locked the wires in place in the channel/tube and allowed the loops to take the flex of rotation.

[Redskinsjbs]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 When rewiring the headlights, did you add a loop before and after the rotator channel? I did this back on my second one to keep the wires from rubbing when the lights were rotated. I actually locked the wires in place in the channel/tube and allowed the loops to take the flex of rotation.

I added about a foot of extra length in the wires...I have yet to put them in the car. It is a good thing to know the put a small loop outside of the rotor hole. Thanks!