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what size wire ?

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:08 am
by peter e mark
Hello , And my name (today) is Rueben Goldberg, A member of the local jury and rigging assiciation, and so as to participate in the upcoming parades, am going to attempt to temp wire my M37. What size wire shall I use ? If you do answer this post, I promise not to advertise, inform, or otherwise reveal your name to your friends that you participated in such a venture...

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:14 am
by refit1701
LOL,

14 gauge, but you didn't hear it from me....

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:51 am
by peter e mark
Thank You...

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 5:47 pm
by knattrass
are you going to use 220?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:01 am
by hemi426
I smell smoke :!:
Hemi

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:41 am
by peter e mark
KNATTRASS ! Aren't you in enough trouble spending so much time under that truck ! But it's funny you mention high voltage. As my truck came 12 volt, I hooked up 24 to test ignition, and Gee, the starter turns so much faster ! Well, another military vehicle club member, who happens to be an elevator mechanic, suggested a product called "multi cable", where I can get eight #14 conductors , both color coded and numbered,in an encased run and use this to temp rewire my rig for lighting. I havent lost ignition so i will make the parades.

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:08 am
by Lifer
I used 5-conductor multi-cable with #12 wires to wire the lights on my civvy trailers. It was intended for appliance wiring, but it worked treat, fit the camper-style connectors just fine, and I've had no problems with the lights since. Beats the heck out of running individual wires abnd taping them together! :)

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 1:55 pm
by peter e mark
Thanks LIFER, and what type connector did you say?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 5:55 pm
by Lifer
I used the round 5-pin connectors generally used for camping trailers. They're readily available at any RV dealership. The socket can be permanently mounted on the tow vehicle and has a spring-loaded cover that closes over the socket when not in use and that helps to retain the plug when the trailer is attached. Installation is easy, but you have to keep track of which wire is going where while you set it up.

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:18 pm
by mattveeder
14 gauge will do the trick. As an electrician I do like the idea of using mc cable under the hood. But if you match that up with the trailer connector, you would realy make a great "temp" fix. I used a four wire flat trailer connection for the lights in my communications shelter. But please dont tell anyone I work with about this post.