Recommend a book on electrics

Of the many things that it has become apparent that I lack knowledge in when attempting to fix my 90, car electrics is one of the biggees.

I bought this 90 with a Supawinch fitted, more lights than a particularly well-lit Christmas tree and a split charging system. There are cables and wires and boxes all over the damn place and I have to concede to that fact that I have no idea what 99% of them do or are for!

So with that in mind, can anyone recommend a good manual on car electrics that would help someone like me? Nothing fancy or advanced, just good basic from-the-ground-up information on identifying, diagnosing and fixing a basic set up that a '93 Landy would compare to - even with its sparkly add-ons.

Thanks

you don't need to know what 99% of em do.
Maplins do basic electrickey books. Just use your eyes and a circuit tester to trace a wire from one component to the next if you have a problem with it. Elsewise leave well alone.

Ain't it always the same? Previous owners do all sorts of odd things, particularly with the vehicle electrics and never document the changes so that new owners are aware of what has been added/altered or how it was done.

Got to defer to Redhand (I’m in trouble if I don’t) when he says you don’t have to worry about 99% of the wires, just the ones that look like a big spider has been trying to weave a web out of them. Just follow them until you find out where they go.

The main things to remember about vehicle electrics are that they usually work on a 12 volt system; so that won’t kill you, but the current (amps) available is often very high which can be fatal when it all catches fire! So make sure that everything is fused at the correct rating.

Small digital test meters are quite cheap these days (£5 to £10).

Books on the subject are available, but like all textbooks can be a bit expensive, but here are three, one of which might help you onto the right track:

The Haynes Practical Electrical Manual ISBN: 9781844252671. £21.99
The Haynes Car Electrical Systems Manual ISBN: 9781844252510. £21.99
Automobile Mechanical and Electrical Systems ISBN: 9780080969459. £21.15 from ebay Item: 181001879568

I’ve never used them, so you’ll have to check them out yourself to see if they're what you're looking for.

Cheers Brian, I'll check them out. I only ask as even the most basic electrical problems have me vexed, so a little understanding of the whats and whys would be beneficial. It's all very well having a meter, but I wouldn't really know how to use it or what to do with the info it gave me and I would like to remove, replace and add some equipment to the car, but have no idea as yet as to how to go about doing any of that.

A bit obvious but if you are starting from zilch Product: The Haynes Car Electrical Systems Manual could be just what you need.
Just an aside but interesting that they do a "special" version for Thor and his friends
Guess they have "goddam" volts, and "pinko commie" resistors. Oooh ohhh and "You got to ask yourself "Am I feelin' lucky to day" landy electrics"