Does everything run off of one 12ga wire?

[Wildkarde]

How many of those 80 year cars burned to the ground due to that same wiring, or more to the point i made about voltage drop, how many would the headlights dim drastically because you turned the blower motor on high?

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by franken

Now we have a boxing match between those who babble about 12V DC and others who somehow equate that with 120/240VAC. Then we have gibberish about solid vs stranded wire.

Babble? Gibberish? Really?

I actually think this is a worthwhile and informative thread. The info posted by by RichardJ and HO455 is something all of us can use. Especially guys who don't know a lot about the relationship between DC voltage, current, resistance, and power.

[68 C10 Driver]

There are plenty of vehicles (new and old) burning to the ground each year due to faulty wiring, or wiring that was tampered with by home hobbyists. I think this thread is very to the point and provides a lot of data that will help many of us who have not benefited from the electronics learned in the military. I used to wire the weapons system on the A-10 many moons ago (28v and 115v) I use the same principles when doing any wiring on the truck. I am a big advocate of running a new fuse block for any modern electronics or anything that was not original equipment. I did this for my 72 MGB and will also do this on my classic Mini. Trust me, when dealing with British wiring, you take all the precautions you can. Do this with any vintage vehicle and your electrical system will last a long time.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Babble? Gibberish? Really?

I actually think this is a worthwhile and informative thread. The info posted by by RichardJ and HO455 is something all of us can use. Especially guys who don't know a lot about the relationship between DC voltage, current, resistance, and power.

Thank you for responding to this member.

Some people need to look back at their own post history.

Then They will Maybe Open their Eyes to who it is that is Devolving.

I think this is a Very informative thread.

That is what forum are all about to discuss different opinions about a certain topic.

[HO455]

I just hope we helped the OP answer the questions posed. We did drift somewhat off course but the deviation has made the thread interesting.


" I did this for my 72 MGB and will also do this on my classic Mini. Trust me, when dealing with British wiring, you take all the precautions you can. Do this with any vintage vehicle and your electrical system will last a long time."

And good luck to 68 C10 Driver keeping that Lucas smoke corralled.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by HO455

I just hope we helped the OP answer the questions posed. We did drift somewhat off course but the deviation has made the thread interesting.

I'd say he's on the right track running directly off the battery for a hi-powered stereo system. Just be sure to fuse it.

Also, I'd be less concerned about 12 gauge wire, and more concerned about poor connections and wire that's had the insulation rubbed off, etc. I found a couple spots under the wrap on my OE harness that were problems waiting to happen.

As for the 12 ga wire, if the truck still has the proper 16 gauge fusible link, that sucker will blow to protect the wire if necessary.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I'd say he's on the right track running directly off the battery for a hi-powered stereo system. Just be sure to fuse it.

Also, I'd be less concerned about 12 gauge wire, and more concerned about poor connections and wire that's had the insulation rubbed off, etc. I found a couple spots under the wrap on my OE harness that were problems waiting to happen.

As for the 12 ga wire, if the truck still has the proper 16 gauge fusible link, that sucker will blow to protect the wire if necessary.

Yup, and that brings us full circle about the 12 Ga wire! Which reminds me, I think that my FiL put in stranded wire instead of fusible link wire at the junction post by the battery...better go check that.

[Richard]

Not an engineer myself but have worked on and installed many AC and DC circuits in my lifetime in commercial, residential and auto. From what I understand the "skin effect" is negligible in common applications and only applicable with AC current and is really only applicable in high frequency AC applications, above what common circuits use. Difference is not shown in charts for that reason. As a layperson, I would assume that the automotive charts are regarding auto rated wire. I referenced previously the jacket on wire is important to the amp rating. Wire used in Chinese harnesses and wire at the local parts store may not be the same as some US manufacturers. Look for amp rating on wire. I said NEC is safe for wire gage. If a few dollars want to be saved on using smaller wire as manufacturers do you need to be sure.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Richard

From what I understand the "skin effect" is negligible in common applications and only applicable with AC current and is really only applicable in high frequency AC applications, above what common circuits use.

I was just reading (not necessarily understanding) an article on Wikipedia. The author said that at 60Hz a copper conductor has 23% more resistance than it does at DC. That was for a wire greater than 1" in diameter, so I don't know if that 23% is true for the much smaller gauges we work with.

[Wildkarde]

Due to the way skin effect works, unless your conductor is greater than ~17mm in diameter you don't need to worry about it at all for 60HZ AC. Skin effect does increase rapidly with frequency though

[R.O.B.]

Originally Posted by HO455

I just hope we helped the OP answer the questions posed. We did drift somewhat off course but the deviation has made the thread interesting.

Yes, this is very eye opening.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by R.O.B.

Yes, this is very eye opening.

Even as an old man, I continue to try and learn something new every day...this thread has learnt me sumpin for the last cupla days...
in particular...wire sizes vs load....the smaller gauge is much easier to manipulate...
I would like to see it stay alive for awhile....I might have some ??s
I'm knee deep in the re-wiring of my "67 resto....
everything in the electrical system will be brand new and modernized.
I've fabricated a bracket for a centralized load center...probably have it powder coated....

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Even as an old man, I continue to try and learn something new every day...this thread has learnt me sumpin for the last cupla days...
in particular...wire sizes vs load....the smaller gauge is much easier to manipulate...
I would like to see it stay alive for awhile....I might have some ??s
I'm knee deep in the re-wiring of my "67 resto....
everything in the electrical system will be brand new and modernized.
I've fabricated a bracket for a centralized load center...probably have it powder coated....
Attachment 2268418

Attachment 2268419

Attachment 2268420

I like that set up

Is that Tennessee orange??

[cj847]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Even as an old man, I continue to try and learn something new every day...this thread has learnt me sumpin for the last cupla days...
in particular...wire sizes vs load....the smaller gauge is much easier to manipulate...
I would like to see it stay alive for awhile....I might have some ??s
I'm knee deep in the re-wiring of my "67 resto....
everything in the electrical system will be brand new and modernized.
I've fabricated a bracket for a centralized load center...probably have it powder coated....
Attachment 2268418

Attachment 2268419

Attachment 2268420

I have never seen a radiator with a trans cooler on the drivers side....or is that something else? PS cooler?

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by cj847

I have never seen a radiator with a trans cooler on the drivers side....or is that something else? PS cooler?

It’s an LS swap radiator… yes that’s the trans cooler…plumbed around to an auxiliary cooler out front.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

I like that set up

Is that Tennessee orange??

Thanks!
Is there any other shade of Orange?....

[HO455]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Even as an old man, I continue to try and learn something new every day...this thread has learnt me sumpin for the last cupla days...
in particular...wire sizes vs load....the smaller gauge is much easier to manipulate...
I would like to see it stay alive for awhile....I might have some ??s
I'm knee deep in the re-wiring of my "67 resto....
everything in the electrical system will be brand new and modernized.
I've fabricated a bracket for a centralized load center...probably have it powder coated....
Attachment 2268418

Attachment 2268419

Attachment 2268420

That's nice clean work! Well done!

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Thanks!
Is there any other shade of Orange?....

Is Chevy Orange and Tn Orange the same color?

[Captainfab]

Can I ask where you found that nice 'centralized load center'?

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Even as an old man, I continue to try and learn something new every day...this thread has learnt me sumpin for the last cupla days...
in particular...wire sizes vs load....the smaller gauge is much easier to manipulate...
I would like to see it stay alive for awhile....I might have some ??s
I'm knee deep in the re-wiring of my "67 resto....
everything in the electrical system will be brand new and modernized.
I've fabricated a bracket for a centralized load center...probably have it powder coated....
Attachment 2268418

Attachment 2268419

Attachment 2268420

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Can I ask where you found that nice 'centralized load center'?

by all means…I got it from Amazon
this evening I did the final HOT test on all the circuits…all passed
no sparks or smoke
I also integrated the headlight upgrade in it
next is wiring in the body harness PCM and engine wiring
I’m OCD on wiring but I like it to look neat…
sorry for the sideways pictures …did this on my “smart” phone

[Getter-Done]

I am Watching.

Flip for ya.

[Steeveedee]

I like these rewiring kits. If I could be assured that I got what the truck actually needed, I'd like to do it. But I'm an old man, and not sure that I could get it done properly or in some kind of reasonable time frame. Meanwhile, I'm expecting electrical problems from the old wiring, just because it's old.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I like these rewiring kits. If I could be assured that I got what the truck actually needed, I'd like to do it. But I'm an old man, and not sure that I could get it done properly or in some kind of reasonable time frame. Meanwhile, I'm expecting electrical problems from the old wiring, just because it's old.

I’m 66 yo…a machinist by trade..but over the course of my life I’ve always strived to learn as much as possible about as many different things as possible...especially about working on automobiles.
I just don't trust many people when it comes to repairs....plus the high cost..
I would be remiss not to mention the wealth of information that is an integral part of this forum as well.

A full re-wire is a daunting task but with the basic knowledge of DC circuits, determination, and some time..it can, and will be worth the effort.
The wiring on these old trucks, even in good condition is adequate but mediocre at best…
add in modern accessories and perhaps an engine swap and they are sorely inadequate…
not to mention how many have been hacked to pieces by a long list of previous owners.
Nothing I hate more than troubleshooting someone else’s wiring or wiring that looks like a bowl of spaghetti tossed under the hood….

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

I am Watching.

Flip for ya.

Attachment 2269103

Attachment 2269104

Attachment 2269105

much obliged....the pics load fine on my desktop but not my "smart phone"....

[Captainfab]

Thank you for the reply, I appreciate it. I'll take a look on Amazon.

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

by all means…I got it from Amazon
this evening I did the final HOT test on all the circuits…all passed
no sparks or smoke
I also integrated the headlight upgrade in it
next is wiring in the body harness PCM and engine wiring
I’m OCD on wiring but I like it to look neat…
sorry for the sideways pictures …did this on my “smart” phone

Attachment 2269098

Attachment 2269099

Attachment 2269100