View Full Version : Wire gauge to use in a harness
Probably redoing my engine harness 100% to put in a cannon plug and redo all the pigtails to stuff that's not destroyed.
I'm curious on what would be the ideal gauge of wire. I've been told that anything between 18-20 AWG will suffice, however I'm not exactly sure if that's accurate for the injectors too or not. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Max777
10-25-2008, 11:42 PM
Hmm, I re wrapped my engine harness, and body harness. From MY experience, unless you really HAVE to, I wouldn't touch the harness. For example, after I rewrapped the engine harness, a lot of the connectors didn't reach, and i just plain could not remember how it all went together after 5 months with the engine out.
I think it WOULD be a good idea to get a HUGE connector where the firewall hole is for the body harness, that way it would come out MUCH easier than having to drag the whole thing through. I would use the gauge of wire that was originally used btwm but I'm not too good with electronics.
Hmm, I re wrapped my engine harness, and body harness. From MY experience, unless you really HAVE to, I wouldn't touch the harness. For example, after I rewrapped the engine harness, a lot of the connectors didn't reach, and i just plain could not remember how it all went together after 5 months with the engine out.
I think it WOULD be a good idea to get a HUGE connector where the firewall hole is for the body harness, that way it would come out MUCH easier than having to drag the whole thing through. I would use the gauge of wire that was originally used btwm but I'm not too good with electronics.
I think I know what I'm getting myself into ;)
http://www.alvatek.com/pages/search_results.php?query=D3899946FG16P%E2%80%94&searchtype=b&search=yes&Submit=Search+Inventory+For+Availability+%C2%BB
https://www.alliedelec.com/Catalog/pf.aspx?FN=150.pdf
I can get 16 AWG cannon plugs without problem. I can get more readily 20 AWG for far cheaper. I'm curious as there probably is very little if no need to run 16AWG to the sensors. Perhaps for the injectors, but there's not that much current for the sensors to dish out.
Max777
10-26-2008, 12:34 AM
I didnt mean it like that, I was just saying that I'm not a big fan of wiring stuff up...
haha, no harm no foul--I keep thinking what I wrote sounds like a dick move, but I don't mean that way. Honestly though I'm just trying to figure out the thinest wire I can use. The biggest thing I have to be weary of is the current draw for the fuel linjectors. If I use a wire too small they'll melt and fuse to the other wires causing havoc. Where as if I use too big of wires I just spent more money than need be. My choices for wire guage is 22d, 20, 16, and 12. I think 12 is far too big, I believe 22d is far too small. I'm basically in a toss up between 20 and 16. I think I might be able to "get away with" the 20 but I'd like input from those on the forum first.
Hell I might even be able to swing a large quantity of 20 gauge, and a smaller quantity of 16 gauge on the same plug. Beyond that I'm going to have to consider how I want to run other wires into and out of the engine bay.... hrmm.....
RETed
10-26-2008, 04:58 AM
Find one of those wire gauge versus resistance versus length charts.
That should answer all your questions.
-Ted
Find one of those wire gauge versus resistance versus length charts.
That should answer all your questions.
-Ted
Thanks Ted. Didn't even think about looking for that.
it looks like the following: 16 AWG produces 4.016 Ohms/1000 ft with maximum of 22 amps for power transmission.
I'll figure out the other bits when I come back later today with regard to the injectors. I have to look up how much the resistor pack adds to the Ohms reading so I can calculate how much current is being shoved through the line. This is going to be fun.
Max777
10-26-2008, 12:39 PM
Anyway, If you do this sucessfully, I will also do this to my FC the next time my harnesses come out.
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