Tail Light Wiring

[cgten]

Hi guys, would anyone be able to tell what gauge/type wire I would need for wiring up some tail lights? I'm installing some March clusters and I want to extend a wire for the reverse light over so they both light up. I also want to wire up an auxiliary fog lamp. Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[Revmau5]

I'm not sure about gauges of wire, but I'd use the same as the loom size from.the connector. Always go bigger not smaller I think is the rule? I'd cut into the loom and heatshrink it then use some split conduit to make it look factory! Just personally of course.

 

[cgten]

I'm at maplins now. The fuse for the lights is 10A, so I guess wire rated for 10A or above?

 

[cgten]

So I bailed out of buying the wiring in the end, wanted to make sure I had the right stuff beforehand.

I did get a soldering iron with stand, some solder and some heatshrink though.

I guess the circuit runs on 12V, but I'm unsure of the amperage rating and resistance of the cable I need.

 

[cgten]

Is this stuff going to be ok?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-equipment-wire-32-02mm-blue-priced-per-metre-xr33l

Says is's rated for 6A (but commercial rating 10A)

 

[Jamie Sykes]

i use a lot of maplins cable in my car mate its fine use it on my power windows when i had to wire them out

 

[cgten]

I thought it might be ok, I was just concerned that there will be different currents for different parts of the car, so needed to be sure before buying as I don't want to break these lights lol.

 

[Jamie Sykes]

well my power windows are wired in with 6amp cables and when the windows hit the end of the travel it draws 9 amps but the cable hold in fine so 10amp cable is fine for you mate

 

[cgten]

Yeah the 10amp fuse appears to be for the whole cluster, so I'm not sure what the current draw is for each lamp.

@Enuo - You're a glorified electrician Any ideas?

 

[Jamie Sykes]

A 21 watt bulb needs 1.75 amps to run

 

[cgten]

I've bought some 10Amp cable, see how that goes.

 

[cgten]

I think it's going to be way too much, but I'll let you know how it goes.