Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (Workbench Series) [Paperback]

Tony Candela (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009 | Series: Workbench Series

Often, wiring and electrical work intimidates automotive do-it-yourselfers the most. It's not mechanical, and therefore, it's unfamiliar territory. Electrons are invisible, and they can do unpredictable things in an untrained enthusiast's eyes. Finally, there is an enthusiast's guide that takes the mysteries and misunderstandings out of automotive electrical design, modification, diagnostics, and repair.
Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems is the perfect book to unshroud the mysteries of automotive electrics and electronic systems. The basics of electrical principles, including voltage, amperage, resistance, and Ohm's Law, are revealed in clear and concise detail, so the enthusiast understands what these mean in the construction and repair of automotive electrical circuits. All the tools and the proper equipment required for automotive electrical tasks are covered. In addition, this in-depth guide explains how to perform more complex tasks, such as adding new circuits, installing aftermarket electronics, repairing existing circuits, building your own wiring harness, and troubleshooting. Author Tony Candela explains how to complete popular wiring projects, such as adding late-model electronic accessories and convenience items to earlier-model cars, installing relays, designing and assembling multi-function circuits and harnesses, and much more.
With this book in hand, you will be able to assemble, design, and build single- and multi-function circuits and harnesses, troubleshoot and repair existing circuits, and install aftermarket systems and electronics. Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems is your essential guide for wiring a hot rod from scratch, modifying muscle car electrical circuits for cooling fans and/or power windows, or adding a premium stereo and other conveniences to modern performance cars.



2009 IAMA Bronze Award, Technical: how to do it category

Editorial Reviews

Review

A non-brand-specific reference book that's an ideal teaching text for those who've never worked on electrical systems before-or those who want to improve their skills. All the tools and the proper equipment required for automotive electrical tasks are covered. -----Corvette Fever, reviewed by Scott Ross, September 2009

We love picking up the latest automotive performance and repair book as much as the next car person, but Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems just went to the top of our list of 'must have' books in your reference library. -----Modified Mustangs and Fords, September 2009

With this book as your guide, assembling, designing, and troubleshooting electrical systems is no longer an intimidating task. --Cars & Parts, reviewed by Jim Hinckley, December 2009

About the Author

Tony Candela is an electronics and car audio veteran with more than 20 years of experience. He has worked as a car stereo installer and sales rep. In his current position at Rockford Fosgate, he creates training and application materials for car-based electronic systems and also conducts training seminars. In his free time, Candela owns and works on his two muscle cars. Presently, he resides in Chandler, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: S-A Design (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932494871
• ISBN-13: 978-1932494877
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Repair
  • #9 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation

More About the Author

Tony Candela has been part of the Automotive Aftermarket industry for over 20 years. He was born in Baltimore, MD in 1969 and moved to the midwest with his family in 1978. An avid automotive hobbyist, his professional career began as a car audio installer in Joplin, MO in 1989. He was twice certified as a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (M.E.C.P.), a division of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

His first book, Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems, provides the answers to weekend DIYers and professionals alike. Unlike other titles on this topic, Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems has been written so that the weekend enthusiast can easily comprehend its content. This book has been published by CarTech Books under their SA Design series.

On the weekends, he can typically be found in his garage working on his vehicles or at any number of car shows in the Phoenix area. Candela resides in Chandler, AZ with his wife and daughter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well-written book on automotive wiring, June 1, 2009

By 

J. Hayden "Joe Hayden" (Round Rock, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (Workbench Series) (Paperback)

I've read just about every automotive book on the bookstore shelves and this is one of the best. The information is accurate and well written, photos support the written material with good clear color shots, and the information is easy to understand. This is the only book I know of that goes into any level of detail concerning DMMs for automotive use and why you should use them instead of a traditional test light. It also contains very good details on proper use of relays including circuit protection with clamping diodes (if you dont know what that is you will after reading about them in this book). Fuses, fusible links, wire, grounding, harnesses, its all here.

Often when reading automotive books, I get the feeling that the author knows what they are talking about but does a poor job of putting it into words that the reader can understand. Other times, the author doesn't know what they are talking about or they are just outright wrong. This book is NOT an example of either of those. This author understands what he is talking about and knows how to explain it clearly.

If you purchased other automotive books and need one on wiring, you will be happy with this one. I am looking forward to a 2nd edition containing more projects. I'd love to see this author write a book on Engine Management (ECUs) with custom installations and tuning written in the same style as this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, June 22, 2009

By 

may03LT (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (Workbench Series) (Paperback)

This book is great. Having worked in the automotive field for many years now, I have read more then my share of electrical guides. Not one can compare to the content in this book.

The book covers everything from basic principles to tools, connections, installations, and troubleshooting; all of which are explained using real world situations and solutions with easy to read diagrams and pictures. Nearly every scenerio that someone could run into in the field is covered. Many myths in the 12 volt field are also laid to rest.

This book would be great for anyone with any level of electronic experience. Like I said earlier, I have been in the field for a while now....and even I learned a thing or two.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal!, May 4, 2009

By 

dwz (Aurora, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (Workbench Series) (Paperback)

When I originally ordered this book, Amazon quoted me 2 weeks longer than it arrived. Needless to say it arrived earlier than expected!

Absolutely phenomenal product here folks. It is written in a manner anyone can understand. The layout is just right, and the pictures match the content perfectly. If you're doing ANYTHING with electrical in a car, then this book will be a godsend. One of the best reasons to get this book, is the explanation of the author's journey by learning from trial-and-error, and proper warnings throughout each chapter so that the reader doesn't make the same mistakes the first time around (which can often be expensive to fix).

This is gold. I strongly recommend this book.