What amp wires?

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, I'm doing a touch of rewiring, and was wondering what ampage of wire to use for:

1. Extending the main light wires
2. Running a wire to a new electric windscreen washer pump
3. Running a line from the temperature switch on the engine to a smiths gauge inside
4. Attaching a car radio

Is there a list anywhere of what types of wire to use?

Thanks!

[beero]

There is a very good guide on this website. They tell you what size wire is commonly used on each electrical item.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... dcable.php

[mike.perry]

It is just as important to use the correct colour code wires.

[Arthurdaily]

?? Correct colours - why? If you intend keeping the car - then it isn't an issue... possibly... where would you get all the odd colours from?

[Alec]

Hello Arthur,

using non standard wire colours makes it a nightmare to fault find in a few years time. The correct colour and section of cable is available by the metre from the company Beero linked. Also buy some loom tape, much easier, neater and quicker than insulating tape.

Alec

[robedney]

It is just as important to use the correct colour code wires.

It's certainly nice to use the correct color -- but not quite just as important. The electrical circuit doesn't care what color the insulation is, but it does care if the conductor is undersized -- maybe enough to set things ablaze! Color coding is for us humans, and it's very helpful if it's consistent. However, mine's a daily driver, and no matter how much stuff I have around I never seem to have the right color to make an emergency repair.

[Declan_Burns]

Hello Arthur,

using non standard wire colours makes it a nightmare to fault find in a few years time. The correct colour and section of cable is available by the metre from the company Beero linked. Also buy some loom tape, much easier, neater and quicker than insulating tape.

Alec

Couldn't agree more!
Regards
Declan

[katy]

I use one colour, grey, because I have lots of it, new, different sizes, left over from a previous job, but I do colour code the ends for later tracing in necessary.

[mike.perry]

Always keep the old wiring loom (plastic coated), then in future you can strip out whatever colour you need, Except the bit that burnt out!

[Arthurdaily]

Thanks for the link Beero - nice and easy info there, and all the wires I'd ever need - I'll be ordering from them, cheers.