2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission When wiring

[John Berger]

Temperature gauges or fuel pressure gauges/senders, what gauge wire do you use? Do you prefer soldered connections or butt clips and that sort? TIA



John

 

[B.G. Smith]

Wiring

Soldering is best, I usually use the crimp type connectors but some of the generac brands are not too good. 18 ga. wire is sufficient for most gauge installation. bg

 

[Nemies]

I've been using 18ga also. I've soldered that I could (switches), and used twist-cap things for the rest. I should probably go back and solder all my connections, but I don't want to rip my gauge pod out again.

 

[dresslered]

Fuel pressure and pyrometers usually rely on very small voltages which are vulnerable to "noise. " For these applications, I would also suggest a twisted pair or shielded wiring.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I like to use 16 and 14 gauge for most of my wiring work. 18 just seems too thin and more likely to break from getting snagged on stuff, like when I cram my hand into a tight place when one of the wires happens to be there.



Inside of the cab, I usually just butt connect the wiring. I use electrician pliers to crimp them though, not those rinky-dink wire crimpers. Outside of the cab, I like to solder, but sometime use butt connectors and tape them up with some high-tech friction tape that bonds together to form a watertight/airtight seal over the connection.



Doc

 

[DieselDoghouse]

What Doc said. Its easy to forget that in addition to carrying the voltage (or current) for the particular application, the wire must also 'preserve' its own integrity in a hostile environment (a truck) against pulling, shaking, and sometimes twisting or flexing. Generally a slightly larger gauge will improve 'survivability', and have a thicker jacket (in general) more resistant to puncturing and subsequent shorts.