Custom Auto Electronics and Auto Electrical Reference Manual by Frank "Choco" Munday
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Book Reviews of Custom Auto Electronics and Auto Electrical Reference Manual
Book Review: The best advice.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book for anyone interested in Auto electrical/electronics.This book explains everything from basic electricity to custom wiring your next auto project.There is also a troubleshooting guide that will help you find the fault and correct it.This book is thoroughly researched and the author knows what he is talking about.Even though I dont know much about auto electrical/auto electronics I found this book a great book to learn from.This book has so much to offer.If you are building a hot rod or street machine this book is ideal.Its a good size book and good value for under $20.Book Review: Moderately informative
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this book looking for some auto electrical information and was relatively satisfied with the content. It is the most informative auto electrical book I have purchased thus far. I would recommend it to anyone who has some experience with auto electrical systems. Book Review: Don't buy this book if you want do to it yourself
Summary: 1 Stars
This book has been one of the most terrible disappointments I have ever had. I ordered it, waiting for a full month to get it (I live in Brazil), and... it has nothing I could use to wire my car from scratch. This book is just a huge (and expensive!) ad for "Painless Wiring, Inc." ready-made harnesses. The author does not explain how to custom-wire a car, or even how to modify an existing wiring. He spends pages after pages showing the delights of "Painless Wiring, Inc." harnesses, but does not explain the most basic stuff (like how to wire on your own turn signals, windshield wipers, brake lights, etc., using standalone parts).
For instance, the only reference in the index to "Turn Signals" points to a brief mention in the text under "Contents of the [Painless Wiring, Inc.] Wiring Kit". How it works? Not a clue. How to build a turn signal system?! You must be kidding, leave it to the pros at "Painless Wiring, Inc."...
It doesn't have even a single example of a complete electrical diagram (which could be copied or used as a starting ground), much less information enough to create it from scratch.
If you want to buy the ready-made harnesses it advertises and they do not come with an install manual, go ahead and buy the book. If you want to do it yourself, save your money and try to find a book that explains at least how things work.
Book Review: Why buy this book?
Summary: 2 Stars
There is no point to buy this book. Especially, if you are planning on installing a wiring kit in your car and if you are going to buy from Painless wiring. All pictures are taken from the Painless wiring instruction manual and you will save yourself 20 bucks if you don't buy this book. I am actually quite surprised that he didn't get sued from Painless wiring for using all their pictures. Nothing new is told that you wouldn't be able to figure out yourself, and the things you can't figure out, are not told.Book Review: Read your way out of the darkness.....
Summary: 5 Stars
I never was keen on tackling auto electrics, so when car manufacturers began introducing electronics, then computers, the eyes glazed over, and new car purchases were limited to pre -1976 models. Then, while browsing, a book about my automotive twilight zone was offered. It was described as understandable by trained monkeys. (or words to that effect.) I knew that sub-contracting the electricals for my three planned "clubman" sportscars would stretch the budget. I needed help. The table of contents looked good, the editorial review looked promising, then my discovery that the author lived a localtelephone call away decided it for me. If I couldn't understand his book, the author could hardly deny a plea for assistance. I ordered a copy. Good move! After a short read, all my forebodings melted away. Following the book, I sorted out the bats-nest of under-dash electricals in my work-truck with ease. It looks a professional job, and I actually understood what I was doing and enjoyed doing it. The book paid for itself many times over on that one job. Instead of dreading the prospect, I'm now impatient to design and fabricate the wiring looms for my Toyota 4A-GE powered Locosts. The "black-boxes" sprouting forests of wires no longer un-nerve me. There are sections covering every aspect of such a project. The required information is well-indexed, and is presented clearly and concisely. When I first flipped through the book, I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. I soon discovered that it is one of the best reference books (of any subject) I have ever seen. It is only necessary to know what you want to do, not how to do it. Use the extensive index to find part of your project, and when you have a question, it will be the key to a cross-reference to the next step. Wire gauges, fuse ratings, component specifications and limitations, safety requirements, sensors, diagnostics,...all are comprehensively dealt with in jargon free text that you and I (and trained monkeys and politicians probably) will find easy to follow. Want to see for yourself? Search the title, click on the "table of contents". Impressive. I never did have to call Mr. Munday for help, but I called to thank him and ask how he was able to write such a perfect book. He is a professional freelance Technical Author who writes Technical Manuals, User Guides, Instructions, etc on almost any technical subject to make them comprehensible forthe layman.(and trained monkeys and politicians) His hobby is hot-rodding. I can't recommend his book highly enough, it really is a "must have" for anyone working at any level on automotive electrical or electronics,...from the dead-set novice like me, to the professional technician.
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