To Group, I am having issue’s with  the starter wiring. I am using an
   after  market ignition switch from the auto parts store. It has four
   terminals on it. They are marked as follows; Batt., Acc. , Ign., Str.
   There were no instructions in the package. I also have an amp meter
   that ties into the ignition switch. I have power from the buss to the
   Batt. terminal, and I have another powered wire from one side of the
   amp meter. This second wire is as per the amp meter instruction, only
   it does not say which terminal to attach it to; so I have put it on
   the ignition terminal. The third wire involved in the switch goes
   from the terminal marked Str. to the starter solenoid.

   Now the problem; when I turn the ignition switch to start, the engine
   will turn over. This occurs regardless of whether the primary buss’s
   switch is on or off. I know that the wire from the amp meter is hot,
   so I probably have it connected to the wrong terminal; only which one
   does it go to. Any suggestions.

   Frank


   Use an ohm meter to check out the key switch and see what terminal
   becomes hot when you turn the key to start.  Now connect that
   terminal with 16 gage stranded wire to the starter contacter. That is
   the small cylindrical device on the top of the starter. The contacter
   is just a heavy duty relay.


   The key switch is connected to any source of 12 volts.

   Al least one terminal connects to all others from time to time
   depending on the position of the key. That is the common terminal and
   that is what is connected to the 12 volt supply.

   A push button switch on the instrument panel will work as well.


   Paul Lamar


   BATT: +12 V supply from wherever you want to supply it from
   ACC:  Connected to +12 V when switch is on, off when in start position
   IGN:  Connected to +12 V when switch is on, or in start position
   STR:  Connected to +12 V when switch is in Start position

   Connect BATT: to +12 V from the battery or main buss if you use one.
   Connect IGN: to the supply terminal of your ignition system if your
   system has such a connection.
   Connect STR: to the starter solenoid as Paul suggested.
   Connect ACC: to whatever you want powered up when the ignition is
on and
   the starter is not powered.


     Mark LaPierre



This may be more clear regarding IGN: and ACC:

Connect IGN: to fuel pumps, and ignition coils, etc. Whatever is
necessary to keep the engine running, but not part of the ACC: connection.

Connect ACC: to anything you want on except those circuit necessary to
keep the enging running. Therefore, excludes such things as fuel pump,
engine computer, ignition, etc.

I think the Amp meter should be connected between the battery +12V and
everything else. This is used to monitor current into and out of the
battery. The only device that uses current not measured by the AMP meter
is the starter. The starter has a separate hot wire directly from the
battery. This is the acutual power going into the starting motor. The
ignition switch only supplies current to the small solenoid which kicks
out the starting gear. The action also turns an switch inside the
starter from off to on, and the internal switch provides starting
current to the starting motor.

 Attached is the wiring diagram I think should work. I omitted the
ground wire on the starter itself but it is necessary.

Henry Nee


I fixed the ground.

Paul Lamar



I think it is important to note that the ignition switch should not be thought of as a primary current carrier. It is a "relatively" low current switch.
Each of the "output" contacts should be going to coils of relays that will switch on the busses for those circuits. IGN and ACC contactors (relays) should be rated for continuous duty.
Don't forget to put fuses (rated for the coils' draw) in line with these circuits if it will be flying, even for static test, they help immediately identify the leg that has failed.
STR of course has a dedicated contactor right there on the starter.
C. Smith