Wire Gauge DOES Matter | Hagerty DIY

When it comes to wire gauge, size does matter. Hagerty's 12v enthusiast, Matt Lewis, gives a basic explanation of the importance of proper wire gauge and demonstrates what would happen with too much current running through a small wire.

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[joshuareisbord]

Planning in re-wiring the hack job in my 3800 Panel Truck. Thank you for the video!

[arnelneduasa]

I’m trying to power up led light strip to my trunk what gauge and length do I need where can you buy it

[tiredagain]

I've seen lots of cobbled together wiring! Nice simple explanation of correct wire size for the load. You can't over stress proper over-current protection! Use the correct size fuze or breaker for the wire size and electrical problems become an inconvenience not a disaster!

[dwhxyz]

It not just about using the correct gauge wire...using the correct size fuse for that gauge wire is equally important. Swapping out 5amp for 30amp fuse could lead to a wire catching fire if a fault occurs which ends up with a huge load being sent down an inappropriate sized wire instead of the fuse blowing first.

[MetalMan]

I just connected a slightly thinner wire to my PC poeer supply, here's to hoping that it's fine.

[whiterosemotors]

DIY trailer wiring video? Gotta have something to haul all these classics around with!

[apexsmith]

for a car amp, are there negative effects with using a 4 gauge wire where you could use an 8 gauge?

[Skyefuego]

i got a question. my wire that goes from the starter to the positive terminal of the battry is short. ( my car was broken into and they stole the battery) can i buy the same gauge wire and solder it together ?

[javierlopeznaguil]

So much thanks!! Great and consistent explanation!

[mwrcrft]

No replacement for displacement engines and wire

[zenkitrueno]

What should I run for a battery relocation?

[workingguy]

Something I've found that works well on old cars I would buy (and not want to invest heavily in them) - hook up a second negative cable. Old electrical cables/wires corrode inside, or sometimes develop breaks in some of their wire strands. Too, the cable or woven grounding straps going from the engines to the firewall were fully exposed, and flexed all of their lives. I'd go to the parts store, grab whatever pre-made negative-lead (in those clear plastic boxes up on the wall) had an eye at one end for a bolt, and whatever connector I needed to attach it to the older-cable's battery post clamp. I'd then run that 'second' negative cable from something like the head, the alternator bracket bolt, or what-not, back to the battery. It just about always made the starter motors spin faster and made the vehicles run better.

[swisstraeng]

Always use largest wire everywhere? got it.

[Davidspurs]

That's a quick way of finding a short!

[barbmelle]

From Leo: Good demonstration. BTW, be aware that the kind of plastic they use on insulation is really toxic when it smokes. Stay healthy Matt.

[BeefaloBart]

Had to rewire a few boats years back. One I had to rewire and hack after I didn't inspect it prior to launching it. Got out for night fishing with guys from the shop. One of the guys tried to fire it up after a few hours of off and on use. The idiot who owned it before us had used the wrong gauge wire and it was solid core home type wire. It melted from end to end leaving us with no way to crank the engine 2 miles from the landing at 2am. Trolling motor was done the same way and took some odd hacks to get enough wire to run the trolling motor to get us home safe.

[jerrymiller]

also stay away from aluminum wire. In some data applications they try to sub in something called cca copper cover alum. at any rate less current carrying for a given wire gauge plus brittle.

[BenLeBlanc]

Thicker wire holds the smoke better. The issue with thin wire is that it isn’t good at storing the smoke.

[ValRigoli]

You only told half the story, and did not mention the hand in hand and extremely important 'resistance over distance' scenario and how to calculate for it!

[ozzstars_cars]

Who else was wired up while watching this vid? 😳