Wiring quedstion

[Mr Mayor]

I'm replacing the cutout relay on my C with a solid state unit. To keep the original look I am hiding it inside the original enclosure with the guts removed. The original wiring had 10 gauge wire to BAT and 14 to GEN on the cutout. I am wondering what to use internally to connect the new cutout to the original tabs, See green lines in photo. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Mr Mayor]

(quoted from post at 23:38:28 01/13/23) I'm replacing the cutout relay on my C with a solid state unit. To keep the original look I am hiding it inside the original enclosure with the guts removed. The original wiring had 10 gauge wire to BAT and 14 to GEN on the cutout. I am wondering what to use internally to connect the new cutout to the original tabs, See green lines in photo. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I'd use the same size wire that was there originally. What would make you think the load would be any different now than before?

 

[kshansen]

(quoted from post at 20:32:08 01/13/23) I'd use the same size wire that was there originally. What would make you think the load would be any different now than before?

When in doubt with electrical stuff go bigger. Unless there is a major need for flexibility like in a moving part otherwise a 10 gauge wire will be just fine.

Using a size or two larger than absolutely need won't cause a problem. But going one size small could cause heat and a failed component!

 

[Bob M]

I agree with kshansen - 10 gage is recommended.

Solid copper would be ideal for this. No terminals required - just loop the ends of the wire. However if you use stranded wire use ring terminals, crimped AND soldered at both ends.

 

[Mr Mayor]

That was my thought at first but then I started thinking that it was apples and oranges, going from energizing a solenoid that closes a set of mechanical points to something completely electronic.

 

[Janicholson]

The tiny wires shown here will melt in a few seconds. There is likely nothing in that metal box but a nice fat diode, All the electricity/20 or so amps from gen to bat needs to pass through those wires they need to be 10 gauge solid wires (they don't move.) Jim

 

[Mr Mayor]

The green lines are dental floss just for illustration. What I dont understand is why the GEN to Armature wire is only 14ga. The original is 14 as is the one in the new harness set and my Super A is the same.

 

[Janicholson]

The generator was rated for about 10 amps max. so 14 would be small bot work. I wire all generator output with 10 gauge if even 45 amp output. (rare with a gen) the Field wire should be 14. It only carries less than 5 amps. Jim