what gauge wire should i use?

[mootang]

to hook up my autometer gauges what gauge wire should I use? I'm not sure if i should use 18 or 22 gauge. I think 22 is what i need but I'm not sure. the reason i ask is because I have to order it so i can't even remember which one is the right size. I hate trying to get anything out here. I really miss radio shack/auto zone/home depot/etc.!!!!!

 

[94GTLaserRC]

I think mine was 18...the larger the better
RC

 

[mootang]

thanks RC, anyone else?

 

[94Blue302GT]

either is fine, 18 is better. Use terminals if you can, bare wire has a tendancy to either be a pain or wiggle loose, or just do it's own thing. At least on the nasty roads over here in chi-town

 

[ej95cobra]

Go with 18 gauge.

 

[HISSIN50]

They dont have wire in England? Well, I remember old Brit cars with Lucas Electrical - maybe they really dont.

Another vote for 18 AWG. IIRC, AM has install instructions on their site - you could double check the recommendation (I would but PDF and Dial-up dont like eachother).

Good luck.

 

[mootang]

thanks, they probably do somewhere but I don't know where. I don't know how people here find random fittings and such. the part stores here are a joke! they are like little mom and pop stores that are about the size of an american 2 car garage. right now my dad gets me all the random little parts that i need and summit is my other best friend!!

 

[Grn92LX]

I use 16G or 18G.

 

[SeventyMach1]

I just installed some AutoMeter's. I used 18 .... as that's what they recommended for the gauges I got.

 

[mootang]

cool, thank you everyone!! looks like 18 gauge is the way to go!

 

[Pennywise2]

I used 18 gauge also.

 

[Black95GTS]

I'd use 18 minimum, but like was mentioned, you can't go wrong by beefing it up.

They dont have wire in England? Well, I remember old Brit cars with Lucas Electrical - maybe they really dont.
Good luck.

:OT: I can't believe someone else has worked on these! My pops used to have a Triumph TR-6. Beautiful looking roadster, but what a piece of crap internally. I think if you own one of those old british cars you should be eligable for a degree in mechanical engineering after 4 years.

Ground to positive wiring? Crazy brits, no wonder they lost the revolutionary war.

Adam

 

[HISSIN50]

I'd use 18 minimum, but like was mentioned, you can't go wrong by beefing it up.



:OT: I can't believe someone else has worked on these! My pops used to have a Triumph TR-6. Beautiful looking roadster, but what a piece of crap internally. I think if you own one of those old british cars you should be eligable for a degree in mechanical engineering after 4 years.

Ground to positive wiring? Crazy brits, no wonder they lost the revolutionary war.

Adam

Adam, I hear ya man. A couple engine harnesses were lost before realizing that it seemed like the tail light shorting out was the cause (no fuses). The baseball mitt ended up with scorch marks on it from putting the fire out. That was the Healey.
Also had a Sunbeam and some Italian stuff (the latter was not as bad, with Marelli components). The Brit stuff can make something like a 10-20 year old mustang (a fox or 5N95), or seem like a brand new car, relatively speaking.
Did Triumph use an electric overdrive? Boy oh boy, what a POS that was.

I learned a lot about wiring from those old cars.

 

[SeventyMach1]

I would love to have an Alpine or a Tiger to restore. Every since I saw a blue Tiger in a magazine a while back, I've loved those cars. Which model did you have JT?

 

[HISSIN50]

Just an Alpine. I also like the hybrid cars (Tiger, AC Cobra, Pantera's, etc).
I once almost bought a Healey that had a SBC, TH400 and full frame and chassis (purists hate those, but man oh man was it fun to drive!)

 

[Black95GTS]

Adam, I hear ya man. A couple engine harnesses were lost before realizing that it seemed like the tail light shorting out was the cause (no fuses). The baseball mitt ended up with scorch marks on it from putting the fire out. That was the Healey.
Also had a Sunbeam and some Italian stuff (the latter was not as bad, with Marelli components). The Brit stuff can make something like a 10-20 year old mustang (a fox or 5N95), or seem like a brand new car, relatively speaking.
Did Triumph use an electric overdrive? Boy oh boy, what a POS that was.

I learned a lot about wiring from those old cars.

Yeah it did have electronic OD! 4 speed slush box with the electronic J type overdrive, whatever that was. I think it took 4th gear from 1:1 to like .75:1 or something similar.

Very cool looking and fun car when we managed to get it running correctly. We had a nice exhaust on it that had a classic british sports car tone, and of course it was British racing green!

Chicks dig the mustang more though. When I would drive it I'd have other guys come over and talk, when I take the mustang out, the ladies are more friendly. There is no replacement for displacement.

Adam

 

[HISSIN50]

Yeah it did have electronic OD! 4 speed slush box with the electronic J type overdrive, whatever that was. I think it took 4th gear from 1:1 to like .75:1 or something similar.

Very cool looking and fun car when we managed to get it running correctly. We had a nice exhaust on it that had a classic british sports car tone, and of course it was British racing green!

Chicks dig the mustang more though. When I would drive it I'd have other guys come over and talk, when I take the mustang out, the ladies are more friendly. There is no replacement for displacement.

Adam

Sweet! As I recall, the AH had Laycock De Normanville electronic Overdrive. It would kick in when it wanted (as you were cruising along!).

I agree with ya - there is nothing like the sound of the Brit cars (long strokes) with a clean exhaust (I used to run Ansas) - wonderful exhaust note. Part of those cars' charm was that they were so tempermental - oh I mean they had character.

I still think few cars turn heads like a clean BRG Brit vert (your stang is much nicer than mine).