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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 | If I decide to convert my 51 over to 12 volts neg ground and do it by making the harness, what gauge wire should I use? Thanks | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | Wire sizes will vary depending upon what they are hooked to. Example, #10 is generally used for the alternator, #14 for gauges and such. I suggest you do a search for a typical wiring harness. Another thing I suggest is to use the correct wire size WITH the correct type of insulation. Not all insulation is suitable for the heat and organic fluids (oils & gas) around an engine deck.
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | as suggested do a search for a typical wiring harness wire depends on the application/load of a particular appliance, ie, alt. ampmeter(if used, but many do not recommend one) use a volt meter instead, led's, head lights. read about relays and how to wire them. main wire to fuse and relay panel should be large enough to handle all loads. lots to know and FUN to learn about. there is lots of information about this as well as some home made wiring diagrahms to bee seen i made my own harness and remember to keep good notes and diagrahms drum52 has an EXCELLENT one good luck ... have fun here is but one of ... https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Main/15166/Number/102087#Post102087
Last edited by carolines truck; 01/24/2008 4:12 PM.
Jim & Caroline
The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense."
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| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | hillbillytim, It's great to hear you are going to rewire your truck...it's pretty easy and when you are done, you will know your electrical system by heart. Wire size is based on ampacity. This means a certain size wire will only carry so many amps. Sort of like a small garden hose for the front lawn, but a huge hose for the big garden out back. I have enclosed a link that shows average (adequate) wire sizes for automotive devices at 12 volts. They tell you how to size up if you want to run 6 volts. Good luck! Stuart http://www.crowbarelectricalparts.com/specifications.htm#Gauge | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Just out of curiosity, why do you think you need to rewire the entire system? Is the current wiring in bad shape?
If you're just going to twelve volts, the current wiring will be more than adequate, provided it's intact. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 | I know, If it ain't broke don't fix it. It has been chopped up. The PO has added and deleted electrical things under the dash, wires cut and taped. It was hot wired when I got it as the wires from the ignition switch were cut. But,I am the second onwer as it belonged to a friends Grand Father. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Ah...
Gotcha.
Well, the chart that Stuart posted the link to is what I used to do mine (they say to go up a gauge if it's 6V).
Good Luck! | | |
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