Wiring question...

[legmaker72]

I am wiring up two gauges and wanted to know if there was a problem with connecting two different gauge wires. The wires coming from the gauge light bulb appears to be thicker than the power and ground wires--which they say to use 18 guage. They also recommend putting a fuse in..I bought a inline fuse and one the package it says #14..not sure if it means 14 gauge or not..but it is thicker. Can I use an inline fuse with a thicker gauge wire?
One other question...Both gauges have wires that have to tap into the 12 Volt ignition wire...I bought the quick connects, but since I have to do two wires, does it matter where they need to be placed...any order, distance etc...?
Thanks guys...Hope the car starts when I'm done!

[Magnum-RT-AWD]

the guages will only "see" as much power as the ground will allow----you should be fine.


PS---smaller numbers with wire means larger size

[ASU_Magnum]

if your going from smaller to bigger your fine. So if from your source you dont want to have 12ga wire and then midline u go to 16ga.

[RobAGD]

I general wouldnt use a crimp/splice connector, too big of a chance of breaking wires.

I would do a solder in connection, use liquid electrical tape and then heat shrink it.

Or you could just tap into a 12v fuse in one of the PDC's

-R

-R

[legmaker72]

[quote=RobAGD]I general wouldnt use a crimp/splice connector, too big of a chance of breaking wires.

I would do a solder in connection, use liquid electrical tape and then heat shrink it.


Not sure how to do that...I wanted to make this easy by doing it myself, but I guess I should just have someone at the stereo place do it. Now you got me nervous.

[RobAGD]

Its not too hard, you do need a soldering iron, solder some flux, and liquid tape and heat shrink.

find the wire you want to splice into, carefully strip the wire w/o cutting it, brush on a little flux, hit with some nice hot solder and watch it flow into the wires. Now do the same to teh end of teh wire you want to splice into the car wire, once its nice a loaded with solder, join them with the iron, making sure you get a good joint, cover with liquid tape and when that cures wrap it with standard electrial tape.

Should stay nice and neat and no cutting.

-R

[legmaker72]

This may sound dumb, but how do you strip the wire in the middle of the wire. Is there a preferred way of doing this?
Also, I have three different wires that have to be tapped into the save 12v ignition wire. One from the D-Pic Gauge, and two from the clock (light and power). Should I strip a larger section of the ignition wire and then solder all three in the same place?
Where do you get the liquid tape from? Auto parts store?
Thanks again.
Christopher

[legmaker72]

Never mind guys...I appreciate your help, but after taking everything apart, spending way too long upside down under the dash, and attempting to solder some wires...I put everything back together (car still starts ;-)
And I'm going to take it to a local audio shop to do the hookup.
I'm a little dissapointed in myself, but never having done this before and working with the ignition wires....this is my daily driver...I'd rather not screw something up! I make artificial limbs and braces for a living, you would think I could have done this! Sad.

[RobAGD]

See yuour PM's

Well at least it still starts

Don't worry about it ! I can butcher a warentee and not be too worried about it, but make someone a new arm or leg well I could make SOMETHING but I doubt it would be good for much other than beating someone down :D

[NC-SXT]

Never mind guys...I appreciate your help, but after taking everything apart, spending way too long upside down under the dash, and attempting to solder some wires...I put everything back together (car still starts ;-)
And I'm going to take it to a local audio shop to do the hookup.
I'm a little dissapointed in myself, but never having done this before and working with the ignition wires....this is my daily driver...I'd rather not screw something up! I make artificial limbs and braces for a living, you would think I could have done this! Sad.

Kudos for even attempting this project. The best mechanic is one who knows his limits and passed the project to someone who can do it. You are really bringing your ride together for yourself.