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Another indicator wiring question.
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Author:  Old-Nail [ May 25th, 2010, 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Another indicator wiring question.
I've decided to make up my own wires for the indicators and side repeaters as they have nothing on them remaining of the original set up other than a thin whispy red wire stemming from the centre.

My question then is this: I know nothing about electrical wiring, but way back in a school science lesson (circa 1972 :P ) I remember something was said about thick wire, in addition to the capacity to carry more load thicker wire offered more resistance than thinner wire. As all I have is thicker wire of the type the main harness is made up of can I still use this to replace the thin ones originally used?
Author:  J-dub [ May 25th, 2010, 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
it should be ok, although im not expert, i had to re wire mine when i removed my wing as the bolts holding the wires where rusted tight so i just cut them and start again, i just used a bit of thinish wire, and used heatshrink connectors to make sure that any water couldnt cause corrosion to travel up the wire - although that may be on a tangent i thought my advice may be helpful (or not as the case probably is!)
Author:  Joe [ May 25th, 2010, 11:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
would it help if i looked at the guage on my side repeaters? it might give you an idea of what to use?
Author:  twofifty AZU [ May 25th, 2010, 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
Yeah it'll be fine.
Author:  Old-Nail [ May 26th, 2010, 12:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
Thanks fella's. I had an idea anyway, I removed the surround sound speakers from my last house and didn't bother refitting them here, so I have plenty of thin-ish speaker wire which looks just right for the job. :D
Author:  twofifty AZU [ May 26th, 2010, 12:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
Old-Nail wrote:
Thanks fella's. I had an idea anyway, I removed the surround sound speakers from my last house and didn't bother refitting them here, so I have plenty of thin-ish speaker wire which looks just right for the job. :D


I'd err on the side of thicker rather than thinner. The thicker the wire, the less is the resistance. Speaker wire is less than ideal for automotive wiring applications.
Author:  J-dub [ May 26th, 2010, 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
speaker wire is as thin as anything, the stuff i used isnt as thin as speaker wire but id still call it think but its not that thin, i have a role of the stuff.....
Author:  J-dub [ May 26th, 2010, 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
also
just thought id point these out to you

this is what i used on my wires

(the blue one in the picture)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/50-MIXED-HEATSHRI ... 978wt_1137

just to stop the wires corroding from any **** on the road - as i noticed my wires where corroded!
Author:  Devils Advocate [ May 26th, 2010, 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
Hi Old Nail.

Thicker wire has less resistance than thinner wire, although 'resistance' isn't the issue here as the wire would have to be very thin before you'd suffer problems (and then, it would be a case of the wire melting!).

The only thing you need to be concerned about is that the wire is thick enough to carry the current for the bulb. So, I'd use the wire you have from your spare loom - these are bound to be thick enough and were chosen for automotive use in the first place!

To be honest, speaker wire would very likely do the job too - ie: you'd likely 'get away with it' - but I, personally, wouldn't use it at all. For a start, it's almost certainly thinner than the recommended stuff (although you'd prob 'get away with it'), but also it might use a different grade of plastic insulation - eg: it could be more susceptible to heat/cold damage, be less abrasion resistant, it could even simply be thinner and more prone to damage - who knows?!

And any future potential buyer finding speaker cable used to wire the lights would justifiably have cause to pause...

The crimp terminals shown above are great. You can also fit 'eyelet' or 'spade' terminal ends so that the wire can be bolted down as before. If you solder the wires to the terminals after crimping, then that will make it even more secure, although it isn't necessary. What I would be tempted to do, tho', is brush something like Waxoyl on to the terminal and wire ends after crimping so as to seal it from water. Being located under the wings, these crimp terminals will get water inside them, and this will travel a wee bit up the plastic insulation too. It will take years, but there's every chance the wires will corrode and become very brittle where they join the terminal.

By the way, your car is utterly, utterly beautiful. What a colour. What a colour...!

(Roof colour choice is spot on, imo. Interior is amazingly successful too - stunning! And I think the AA badge looks very nifty too; to me it's just the right balance of being unique & original, but not too glitzy. I like. I really like!)
Author:  Old-Nail [ May 26th, 2010, 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another indicator wiring question.
Thanks. I've looked at the speaker wire this morning and counted it out already, too flimsy for one, and as you rightly say would look like a poor job. I haven't any of the heat shrink type plastic insulation but I do have lots of ordinary crimping tubes. My plan is to solder the wires together, coat them in copper grease, then crimp the plastic tube over them. :idea:
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