How to Choose The Right Wire Size - Auto Electric Dos and Don'ts - Episode 3

Episode 03 of the Auto Electric Dos and Don'ts Video Series! In this episode we discuss How to Choose The Right Wire Size for your wiring project!

Have you ever wondered how to choose the right wire size for your car? Well watch this video for a basic explanation of the decision making process.

Skip to 5:45 if you don't care about the important information you should know about your electrical system.

NOTE: I am not an electrical engineer. The information in this video is a broad and basic explanation of D.C. Electrical circuits in a car. The topic is far more complex than my explanations and some of the terms I use are slightly misplaced from their proper usages. It is just my goal to acclimate folks that are unfamiliar with the topics. Enjoy!
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The opinions expressed in this video are my own, from my personal experience. This is not a paid product advertisement. Please feel free to let me know what you think of this tool, or suggest alternatives I should check out.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement. This video is solely my opinions from the use of these products and based on the specifications of them.

#wiring #12volt #carwiring

[aberjaylopdollar]

Nearly 50 years ago, an old mechanic told me, use bigger wires and cables on that Jeep! I asked why ... he said ... The bigger the hose, the more water goes thru it! Now, I'm an old mechanic. That made sense then, you make sense now. Good Job!

[Findmylimit]

Self teaching myself. Great explanation thanks

[stangroves]

Absolutely one of the BEST 12V wiring videos available! Thank you.

[VaniaThundr]

Awesome awesome video man. Really love the in depth explanation, especially to summarize a fairly complex concept in less that 15 min. Provides enthusiasts with a great baseline, with a great classic water power analogy. Hell, I'm watching this as an engineer for a refresh! Keep it up.

[dylanlucas]

Okay I know this wasn't meant to be a dissertation on basic electrical units of measurement, but after hearing your explanation of voltage, ohms, and amperage, my understanding of these concepts is SOO much clearer. This is the illustration that helps me remember it: Electricity is water, cables are pipes. Voltage is the volume of water in the entire system, amperage is the water pressure, ohms are the friction working against the movement of the water, and wattage is the speed at which the water travels through the pipe. Gauge is the size of the pipe. (Please correct me if I got any of this wrong)

[jameslangford]

Thank you very much. I am a novice and want to learn and do things correctly. Your video and chart will help keep me safe. Thank you again.

[stephen]

Thanks for this info you done well with your explanation. 👍👍👍

[asdlkj]

LOL...at 4:49, I had the same grille in my '62 Morris Mini Minor. Bought back some memories....Explained very and subscribed.

[JustKingAdrian]

Such a good video! I am in the middle of relocating my battery and I am going to be adding a fuse box for a few accessories. This helped solidify some of my decisions but also helped me understand it a little better. Thanks!

[fordcasino]

THANK YOU...!!! Explained clearly and straight to the point, visual explanation was a bonus.
I'm subscribed.

[desertseat]

I don’t want bright headlights. But good video bro! Thanks!

[johnrtrucker]

It's all very straight forward once you understand the basics I'm still trying to get my boss to allow me to rewire an older semi we got in the terminal, the shop says it needs all new cab, chassis and engine harness costing roughly 12, 000 bucks but looking at it I'm pretty sure I can fix the tom foolery in the harness for under 500 bucks not counting busted sensors and whatnot ecm is good but no communication so its something in the harness I call it "the canary challenge"

[TERRORoftheLORD]

I appreciate you keeping your video clean of foul language. 🙂

[kelzgarage]

Beautiful content!! Comming from an electrician in training and hot rodder myself!!!

[thelastchance]

Eyes open or closed this kat is a dead ringer for Owen Wilson. Great video it was incredibly helpful

[timjmartin]

Excellent video sir, dug the blooper at the end also. Thanks for the info.

[JDWard-Jeepster]

Once you figure out the wire gauge needed for the amperage of the circuit would it be a good idea as well to go just one size bigger on the fuse for that circuit as well? Too high of a fuse rating will cause your wiring to run hot won't it.

[paulelideperio]

Good day sir, i got 2 150watts (300watts total) led lights to be installed on my motorcycle. The distance between the battery and the position of the led light is just 2 meter. I already installed a 12volt relay and a 10 ampere fuse box. The question is, what wire should i use for that? Because my old wire sometimes getting hot whenever i turn on the lights. What size of wire is the best and any donts and dos? Thank you.

[HotRodHippie]

If you don't want to hear the background information about how to pick your wire size and understanding voltage, then skip to 5:45 for the more basic and direct answer.

[charlesjohn]

Great video! definitely learned a bunch since im new to the wiring aspect of cars, only thing i would have liked was how to calculate based on length and amps but looking forward to watching more