What Wire?

GrumpyTwo

Registered user
Joined
Apr 20, 2013
Messages
142
Reaction score
0
Location
Aberdeen
Can someone tell me what size wire I need to wire up some aux lights on my bike? I know it is auto wire but what thickness and how many strands etc if there is an etc?

And please no 3 foot jokes :D
 
16 gauge or bigger should do you.

In new money, oy fink thats aboot 1mm
 
Oh shucks, now you have just gone and confused things further. I am electrically challenged, last time I done anything electrical in the house I managed to weld the screwdriver to the socket back box. And yes I thought I had turned the electricity off.
I’ll probably set the bike on fire.:D
 
Blimey if you don't know the guage or length of wire then why mess around and risk fucking things up just go to the www.hid50.com Aux lighting page.

Go there buy kit, fit kit, no brainer matey, and if your the type to go moaning about the price of the kit then wait until service time for your bike, and your'll be all - how do I do/can I do/do you know how.

:blast
 
If the OP's electrickey is that tricky ;) it may be best to get an auto electrician to do the job. You can save money by removing the bike's covers beforehand.

http://cartech.about.com/od/DIY/ss/Diy-Car-Wiring-Tips.htm

If you wire the new circuit completely, fit an inline fuse and test everything BEFORE anything is connected to the bike's electrical system, there is little harm to be done.

If the new circuits are totally separate from the bike's Canbus they won't "need" a relay, but one can be used to isolate the new circuit when ignition is off. That way you wont accidentally park the bike with spot lamps burning.

If the bike does not already have spot lamps there is a connector built into the wiring loom under the fuel tank somewhere.
 
Where would be the fun in buying a kit or paying someone else to do the work for me? And now I know how to work out what gauge wire I need for the job, mission accomplished.

Now if I can just work out what the feck a relay does I'll be an expert :thumb
 
In simple terms the relay is a switch operated electrically.You would need a 4 pin relay the terminals are marked as follows.
30 - positive battery supply fused
87 - to the lights you are fitting
86 - positive supply from the switch you are using
85 - earth

The relays joins 30 to 87 when you operate your switch which take the current from your battery supply removing the load from the switch.
If you are fitting 2 x 55 watt spotlights these will draw 10 amps,so your switch needs to be able to handle that or you need to fit the relay.
 
In simple terms the relay is a switch operated electrically.You would need a 4 pin relay the terminals are marked as follows.
30 - positive battery supply fused
87 - to the lights you are fitting
86 - positive supply from the switch you are using
85 - earth

The relays joins 30 to 87 when you operate your switch which take the current from your battery supply removing the load from the switch.
If you are fitting 2 x 55 watt spotlights these will draw 10 amps,so your switch needs to be able to handle that or you need to fit the relay.

It is 2 x 55w lights I am fitting so thanks for your reply, what a great explanation of relays, simple and just what I needed.
 
Blimey if you don't know the guage or length of wire then why mess around and risk fucking things up just go to the www.hid50.com Aux lighting page.

Go there buy kit, fit kit, no brainer matey, and if your the type to go moaning about the price of the kit then wait until service time for your bike, and your'll be all - how do I do/can I do/do you know how.

:blast

If we all did that, we'd have no need to post on a forum and risk educating ourselves...
 
when your buying your cable buy thin wall,its thinner and has a higher rating than normal cable & is for all automotive equipment.:thumb
 
when your buying your cable buy thin wall,its thinner and has a higher rating than normal cable & is for all automotive equipment.:thumb

Watch that thin wall stuff. If its going across your head stock as it has less abrasion resistance.
 
Get a good supply of heat shrink sleeve to reinforce any soldered joints and areas where it more likely to get moved about. Don't zip-tie anything down too tight or the wires will break at the tie down points. A good quality flexible wire is always better than cheap stiff stuff. The cheap stuff has fewer, thick strands of wire more likely to fatigue and snap.
Connectors can be crimped but a dab of solder and heat shrink over is better in the long run. W crimps are the best. The two sided oval type tend to get loose after a while and are prone to corrosion.

These should be helpful
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/home/homepage.php
 


Back
Top Bottom