Determining Wire Size

[jetattblue]

I'm working on the wiring on my L2550. I have a little experience with wiring, but I have never worked on a car or tractor wiring harness! It's a little scary, but I'm taking it piece by piece. To get a grip on it, I am starting with a short run of wires from a 3 pin connector to the headlights. My question is: how do I determine the correct wire gauge to use? There are three wires with the following colors and markings: Orange 0.5, Brown 0.5, and Black 0.85.

Do the decimals correspond to the gauge? Is there a way to covert these measurements to gauge?

Thank you.

 

[Jim L.]

The numbers on the Kubota diagrams are metric wire sizes, in square millimeters of cross section.

0.5 is equivalent to AWG 20; and 0.85 is equivalent to 18 gauge (AWG).

Other conversions can be made with a metric to AWG conversion table.

Always use a gasoline and oil resistant insulation, and always stranded wire.

Don't use the crimp terminations which have cheap plastic from the big box stores. They won't hold up. Get a better quality such as used for marine applications.

 

[Tughill Tom]

I'm working on the wiring on my L2550. I have a little experience with wiring, but I have never worked on a car or tractor wiring harness! It's a little scary, but I'm taking it piece by piece. To get a grip on it, I am starting with a short run of wires from a 3 pin connector to the headlights. My question is: how do I determine the correct wire gauge to use? There are three wires with the following colors and markings: Orange 0.5, Brown 0.5, and Black 0.85.

Do the decimals correspond to the gauge? Is there a way to covert these measurements to gauge?

Thank you.

I would run a 14 ga automotive wire to all non motor applications, i.e starter,pumps or any high amperage components. Good luck and take your time.

 

[jetattblue]

Awesome! Thank you all for the quick responses.

 

[Luckystars]

16ga = 10 amps
14ga = 15 amps
12ga = 20 amps
10ga = 30 amps

I don't use anything smaller than 16ga on automotive, marine, equipment use

 

[lacasmi117]

Here is a list and distances for AWG:

LENGTH OF WIRE
@ 12 Volts American Wire Gauge (AWG)
Amps* 3ft 5ft 7ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 25ft
0 to 1: 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
1.5: 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
2: 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
3: 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
4: 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
5: 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
6: 18 18 18 18 18 18 16
7: 18 18 18 18 18 18 16
8: 18 18 18 18 18 16 16
10: 18 18 18 18 16 16 14
11: 18 18 18 18 16 16 14
12: 18 18 18 18 16 16 14
15: 18 18 18 18 14 14 12
18: 18 18 16 16 14 14 12
20: 18 18 16 16 14 12 10
22: 18 18 16 14 12 12 10
24: 18 18 16 14 12 12 10
30: 18 16 14 12 10 10 10
36: 16 14 14 12 10 10 10
40: 16 14 12 12 10 10 8
50: 16 14 12 10 10 10 8
100: 12 12 10 10 6 6 4
150: 10 10 8 8 4 4 2
200: 10 8 8 6 4 4 2

 

[Dave_eng]

Someone mentioned the word MARINE in their reply to your post.

Buying and using "Tinned" marine grade wiring will give you a job that lasts nearly forever.

Each strand of wire is coated with tin on top of the copper wire. It greatly enhances the corrosion resistance of the wires.

https://www.amazon.com/AWG-Duplex-F...1539316104&sr=8-8&keywords=tinned+marine+wire

If you have ever messed with trailer lighting and the flat four strand wire they use. After a few years and the wiring needs repair. You strip off the insulation so you can make a good solder joint. You will find the copper wires, far from the end of the wire too corroded to solder. Oxygen will diffuse right through the plastic insulation and start corroding the copper wire.

Plumbers who do hot water floor heating have learned the hard lesson that a special type of hydronic PEX is required compared to domestic water use. Oxygen will diffuse through the PEX and make the closed loop hydronic system very corrosive to the boiler. Hydronic PEX has an aluminum liner inside to block the oxygen diffusion.

Dave