Junction Block?

[Jim in SC]

I'm still in the throes of rewiring my '51 H - I finally broke down and bought all new wiring, including the main harness, etc.

While hooking up wires in the dash, I saw that it has a "junction block" and am wondering if I NEED a junction block? For the life of me, I can't see or understand what it does. My tractor is a 6 volt set-up with regulator, distributor, and generator. Is there any reason why I can't just splice the two wires that are attached to the junction block?

Obviously I'm not an electrician, so I'm hoping someone on the Forum can help me and explain the purpose of the junction block!

I've attached a picture of the dash with the junction block at the top center (before I bought new wiring). Thanks!

[Jim Becker]

The fuse holder is a standard purchased part. The input wire that is part of the holder has a screw type terminal. The hot wire coming in from the regulator L has another screw type terminal. The junction block provides an insulated screw to hold them together. If the wires were spliced together, the fuse holder would be part of the harness. From either manufacturing or service perspectives, that would be clumsy. If you want to splice yours together, there is no particular reason not to. Be sure to install the fuse holder before you splice it .

On tractors where the ignition switch is in close proximity to the fuse (like the Cub), the hot side of the ignition switch serves as the junction block. Even those tractors with magneto ignition used a separate junction block.

[Jim in SC]

Okay, Jim. Makes sense. I think I'll retain the block as IH intended!

Many thanks!

Jim