Let's talk wires

[Raptor911]

I will me mounting some lights soon so what's the best wire to use? I am planing to extend wires from my prerunner bar to the auxiliary wires inside the engine bay.

Also is there any preference on gauge? I assume 12gauge will suffice for this job?

Will these wires work?

 

[MandR Automotive]

Should work. You should be safe to go up to 20amps on that wire

 

[pat'sRAPTOR]

Look behind the glove box at the pass through wires the wire that goes to the #1 switch is a 10 gauge wire I think it might be 12 gauge but I use that as a reference for wires I run I use a 12 gauge wire for all my wiring. I have a 20" in my bumper light canons on hood mounts and my rear facing amber dually's all wired with 12 gauge and haven't had any problems so far!

 

[pat'sRAPTOR]

This should help with the wiring as well! What I did was splice all the pass through wires together and labeled them with the corresponding switch so it's easier to hook up anything I need pretty quick!

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Check this out: Automotive Wire & Wiring Guide from TESSCO - TESSCO.com

This info doesn't copy and paste well (see below) so look at the link above.


Automotive Wire & Wiring Guide from TESSCO
Automotive Wiring Guide from TESSCOInstallation of wireless devices, audio, emergency equipment, or other accessories in a vehicle can sometimes be a daunting task. With TESSCO's exclusive Wireless Solutions® installation accessories, you'll get the highest quality at competitive prices for a good job the first time.



Typical Low Voltage Wire Sizes Guide
Air Conditioning- 10 GAUGE Heater Switch- 10 GAUGE
Alternator- 10 GAUGE Horn Button- 13 GAUGE
Ammeter- 10 GAUGE Horn To Relay- 10 GAUGE
Cigarette Lighter- 14 GAUGE Ignition Switch- 12 GAUGE
Clock- 18 GAUGE Low-Amps Circuits- 18 GAUGE
Coil Wire- 16 GAUGE Parking Lights- 16 GAUGE
Dome Lights- 16 GAUGE Radio To Fuse Blocks- 14 GAUGE
Driving Lights- 14 GAUGE Single Bulbs- 18 GAUGE
Gauges- 14 GAUGE Starter To Relay- 16 GAUGE
Generator (Charging)- 10 GAUGE Stoplights- 16 GAUGE
Generator To Starter- 16 GAUGE Tail Lights- 16 GAUGE
Headlight Circuit- 14 GAUGE Turn Signals- 16 GAUGE
Headlight Switch To Fuse Block- 12 GAUGE CD To Fuse Block- 14 GAUGE
Heater Leads- 16 GAUGE Windshield Wiper & Washer- 14 GAUGE
For safety and best resultsWhen circuit is longer than 10 feet, always use the next larger gauge size, which is the next lower even number.


Wire Gauge Selection Table 12 Volt Circuit
AMPS 3' 5' 7' 10' 15' 20' 25'
0 to 5 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
6 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
7 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
8 18 18 18 18 18 16 16
10 18 18 18 18 16 16 16
11 18 18 18 18 16 16 14
12 18 18 18 18 16 16 14
15 18 18 18 18 14 14 12
18 18 18 16 16 14 14 12
20 18 18 16 16 14 12 10
22 18 18 16 16 12 12 10
24 18 18 16 16 12 12 10
30 18 16 16 14 10 10 10
40 18 16 14 12 10 10 8
50 16 14 12 12 10 10 8
100 12 12 10 10 6 6 4
150 10 10 8 8 4 4
2

200 10 8 8 6 4 4 2

 

[Raptor911]

good info. Thank you!

I will do all the lights in 12 gauge as that would be more than sufficient.

 

[pat'sRAPTOR]

Bigger is better hahaha

 

[NickPic83]

Get yourself some wire loom so u can neatly and safely route your wires

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Icecobra]

Also remember high density wire is better then the cheap stiff stuff from your local auto parts store. The better quality wire costs more for a reason.. AND FUSES,FUSES, FUSES.....

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

the 2 main differences in cost of wire are 1) gauge. i have seen some cheap stuff pass as a particular gauge, when it doesnt even look close. we have had customers bring in their amp wire kits that claimed 4 gauge wiring. when we looked at it, it appeared to be 8 gauge wire with 4 gauge insulation. this is a broad spectrum issue. the cheap wire will always have less inside. 2) material. the cheaper wire is aluminum clad copper, meaning the wire is mostly aluminum with a little bit of copper. quality wires will be pure copper, but will include a higher cost.

let me know if you need any wire. we have many different gauge wire here