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It is cold outside. It is snowing, and it looks like it will not be stopping anytime soon. You have a plow on your truck that you need to wire up to clear the driveways for all the customers who are expecting their parcels tomorrow morning – but how do you go about wiring up a snowplow?
Do not worry! We have got you covered with this handy guide that will walk you through everything from what tools you need, steps to Wire a Snowplow, and safety precautions. so that they are ready when winter comes knocking again!
What is a Snowplow?
A snowplow is a vehicle that can clear snow from a road or other surface on which it cannot move freely. Snowplows also have the capability of removing ice and slush as well. But what does this fantastic piece of machinery do?
A good set of tires can help you out in snowy conditions, but if things get bad, you will need something more substantial. A snowplow may be just the ticket! Most often found on large trucks, like 18-wheelers; a snowplow uses its weight and height to cut down through tall piles of deep snow without any issue at all.
The blades themselves are sharp enough to slice through iced-up pathways, meaning that drivers can turn the plow on and off as needed.
How to Wire a Snowplow
A little common sense goes a long way when wiring a snowplow vs snowblower. If you are not sure what to do, consult an expert or hire one before making any major changes to your vehicle’s electrical system.
The following is how to wire a snowplow for those of us who are less than electrically inclined and do not know where to start.
- Turn off the vehicle and any accessories that are connected to it, including headlights and running lights.
- Trace out the wiring diagram for your snowplow on paper or a computer drawing program. You can find this information in your owner’s manual or by looking up diagrams of specific make/models online. If you are not sure where to find the diagram, consult your vehicle’s service manual before making any changes.
- Label each wire with a letter and number when tracing out the wiring diagram.
- Consult an expert if you are not sure what type of connectors or splices are needed, how to make them, or which wires go where for different purposes.
- Connect the wires in a logical order, following the wiring diagram and making sure to use appropriate splices or connectors when necessary. Be mindful of which wire is connected to which terminal on your vehicle’s battery because this will vary depending on make/model; consult an expert if you are not sure what type of connector or splice is needed.
- Be sure to ground your snowplow according to the diagram in your owner’s manual and use a fuse that matches the wire size. That way, there is no risk of overloading any part of the system or frying delicate electronics when you connect it all back up again.
- Double check every connection before reconnecting, and then reconnect everything one piece at a time.
- Turn on the vehicle to make sure that your newly installed wiring is working correctly before you go out into the snow again.
Tools Required to Wire a Snowplow
- A diagram of the wires in your vehicle
- Electrician’s wire stripper
- Wire crimper or needle nose pliers
- Electrical tape, shrink tubing, and heat shrink tubing (or other connectors) as needed for different purposes.
- Fuses in the appropriate size for your snowplow
- A voltmeter or multimeter
- screwdrivers, wrenches, and other hand tools as needed. You may need an extension cord depending on how far away your vehicle is from power outlets.
Safety Precautions While Wiring a Snowplow
- Always work with a partner, and never do any wiring in wet conditions.
- KEEP AWAY from battery terminals when the vehicle is running, or the lights are on. If you are not sure where to start consult an expert before making changes to your vehicle’s electrical system!
- Make sure that all fasteners (screws, bolts, rivets) are tight before you connect them to the battery terminal.
- Always ground your snowplow according to the diagram in your owner’s manual and use a fuse that matches the wire size.”
Conclusion
In the end, we hope that this blog post gave you an idea of how to wire a snowplow. If not, please reach out and let us know what information was missing so we can make improvements for future posts!
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