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Author
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Topic: Ground wire fire question
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Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728
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posted
 
 
Would using to small/thin of a guauge wire cause it to heat up/melt/fire?
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003
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92stangLX
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Member # 3252
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posted
Is this for your main ground? I wouldn't use a small gauge wire for your main ground simply because it probably wouldn't give you are very good ground connection.
Posts: 5302 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Sep 2003
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Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728
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posted
Sorry I guess I should be more detailed.
I hooked up an accessory switch for my electric fan. Everything worked fine but the ground wire fried on the way home yesterday. I used a smaller wire than I noramlly would because it was all I had at the time. I used yellow wire can't remember the guage but I ran out of the thicker stuff.
In any case I'm hoping that was the cause of the fried wire and nothing else.
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003
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FasterDamnit
Bad Attitude
Member # 442
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posted
Yup.
Wire size determines how many amps you can run thru it. Go bigger.
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'92 LX T5
Looked stock, went 11's 11.90 at 115mph.
'65 Mustang 347
www.fordmuscle.com
Livin' in the Carolina Pines
Posts: 2971 | From: NorCal | Registered: Sep 2001
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Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by FasterDamnit:
Yup.
Wire size determines how many amps you can run thru it. Go bigger.
Guess as the saying goes...if your gonna do it, then do it right the first time or don't do it at all. Could have cause a big fire...huge plume of smoke came bellowing out of the center console...I almost shat myself.
Thanks for putting my mind at ease. ![[worship]](graemlins/worship.gif)
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
yes, think of the wire thinkness along the lines of a straw/hose
bigger the tube the more water can flow through it, current flows like water.
edit: and also, you should -not- be switching the ground lead to your fan relay, you should be switching the 12v trigger of the relay. The 12v trigger only draws about 2amps at the absolute most, while the ground lead will draw 30-70amps depending on your fan setup...
so after you switch to a larger wire, you'll fry the switch, most switches are only rated to 13amps at 12v.
[ April 18, 2006, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: blind ]
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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SteveL
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Member # 1241
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posted
16 gauge is good up to 20 amps. Use 14 gauge up to 30 amps.
Posts: 578 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: May 2002
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94gt
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Member # 3060
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Roush #92:
16 gauge is good up to 20 amps. Use 14 gauge up to 30 amps.
Depending on the length of the wire as well.
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2020 Explorer ST
2011 Silver Raptor 'Screw
Posts: 5777 | From: Beavercreek, OH | Registered: Jul 2003
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