22
votes
Accepted
40amp protection on 25amp rated wiring?
The maximum rating of 25A will be for continuous use. The 40A fuse is there to blow very quickly in a fault condition.
If you look at this page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge 2mm² ...
- 24.9k
21
votes
Accepted
Can I connect wires by just twisting them together and insulating with tape?
While the twist/tape method will make the connections and work, I tend to leave this for the quick fix. Over time, with the everyday vibrations occurring, this method tends to allow for continuity ...
- 153k
19
votes
What can I do to combat wire embrittlement?
Heat and thermal stress, even at engine bay temperatures, is not generally the cause of copper wire failure. There is "hydrogen embrittlement" for copper but that only really comes into play at 400C+ ...
- 4,900
16
votes
Can I connect wires by just twisting them together and insulating with tape?
@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's answer is excellent. But, I'd like to add: rather than just twist & tape, there's something called a "lineman's splice," or "Western Union splice" which provides a great electrical ...
- 3,149
15
votes
Accepted
Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?
This engine is equipped with a voltage regulator. Depending on the exact construction of the regulator a reverse current would be disastrous, especially the high current from a starter battery
- 8,448
12
votes
Accepted
How do I make all of this work together?
How can I convert the DC current from my battery to power the blender in the Jeep?
The only solution is a 12V DC to 110V AC inverter. Google is full of this, so I just linked google.
Your blender ...
- 7,047
10
votes
What can I do to combat wire embrittlement?
When you say "embrittlement", are you talking about this?
This is a common issue with PVC used as insulation: PVC is brittle by nature an needs plasticizers to be added to it when making cable ...
- 2,642
10
votes
Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?
Why not just put a wrench on the crankshaft? Ignoring the electrical repercussions, I fear damage to the starter, too. Besides, if the starter on this tractor uses a sprag clutch (and probably most ...
- 1,722
9
votes
Accepted
Testing specific wires in harness cable
This is quite easy, but you need to do yourself a favor and get a factory wiring diagram. It will save you hours of frustration and confusion. The factory wiring diagrams will tell you exactly when ...
- 3,343
9
votes
Accepted
How to remove a stuck (maybe melted) connector from the blower motor resistor
The connector will need to be replaced. It looks to be fused together. The metal connector terminals were the cause of the original problem. The usual problem is that the connector makes poor contact ...
- 11.6k
8
votes
Why do cars still use mechanical blinker relays?
I can think of several reasons straight away:
Cheap
Easy to replace
Have a very distinctive click that makes it obvious when they are on, and when a bulb has failed
Are very well understood
Anyone ...
- 18.6k
8
votes
Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?
Looks like the starter drive is the typical spring loaded drive gear that engages when the starter motor turns in the "forward" direction, then disengages if the engine starts running and overdrives ...
- 452
7
votes
Accepted
Are there downsides to making an accessory socket always live, if accessories are removed when not in use?
If there is nothing connected to it (which can draw power), no power will be drawn. To me that means there are no drawbacks. I would not have an issue of making the socket as always hot for just the ...
- 153k
7
votes
Accepted
What can I do to combat wire embrittlement?
The very short answer is that heat isn't a significant problem for the wire. Heat is a problem for the insulation.
So if you have wires failing I think there is something else going on.
The ...
- 14.4k
7
votes
Can stock headlight wiring deal with 110 W bulbs?
0.85 mm² copper wires have a resistance of about 0.02 ohm/m, and when a current of about 10 A is driven through this wire, it dissipates about 2 W/m. This isn't soo much and should not ...
- 7,047
7
votes
Accepted
Car alarm install. Should I interrupt starter or ignition?
The average aftermarket car alarm uses cheap components and is not designed for high reliability and long life. This is not to criticize the particular model that you plan to install, but I'm speaking ...
- 5,510
6
votes
How to remove a stuck (maybe melted) connector from the blower motor resistor
Dont you have to remove the connector with the green/black wire also? In your photo it looks like the connectors are melted together. You can get a knife and try to seperate them first.
The blue ...
- 1,188
6
votes
Accepted
Can stock headlight wiring deal with 110 W bulbs?
TL;DR: You're on the edge, instead of pushing it, use the existing circuit to control a set of relays and supply the bulbs with a short run of larger wire. Use at least 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) wire, which ...
- 14.4k
5
votes
What causes battery terminal corrosion?
Much of the corrosion is due to bimetal contact between copper and lead alloys. Nothing to do with Hydrogen.
- 51
5
votes
Mini Cooper 2003 - Identify rear indicator light wiring to install LED resistor
I'm going to answer this in a general way because for someone to tell you what the wires mean, they would need to follow this procedure, or have access to detailed wiring diagrams for your car. You'...
- 13.3k
5
votes
Accepted
Is there something that can be applied to electrical connections to prevent rust and corrosion?
In general silicone gease applied to the parts before and after assembly is a good way to go. It will be pushed out of the way where you have tight metal to metal contact so it won't cause electrical ...
- 494
5
votes
Modding Honda Ridgeline cigarette lighter to power USB ports
The power socket has a simple two cavity connector. It will most likely have #2 female spade connectors. Connect a new device with male spade connectors after first verifying polarity. I would not ...
- 11.6k
5
votes
Where can I find a power adapter to run a car stereo from a wall outlet?
Your car Audio should work well in your garage .Mine has been running for 17 years now .The 12 V DC power supply needs to be rated for the job as others have commented .If you use a switchmode ...
- 2,083
5
votes
Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?
Even if there are no polarity-sensitive electronics to damage and the starter motor was able to engage, it is unlikely that the motor would rotate backwards anyway.
Most car starter motors (in fact ...
- 51
5
votes
What is this covering used on the wires (blue and yellow). I found it on my KTM 390 Wiring Harness
The black material sheathing the blue and yellow wires is commonly called wire loom. It serves to organize the wires and protect them from damage.
There are three main types that I am familiar with:
...
- 14.4k
5
votes
What's wrong with using domestic flex cable for automotive purposes?
Automotive cables are normed (ISO 6722 ?).
The insulation of automotive cables offer a superior resistance to heat, cold, chemicals and vibration.
A common FLYR-cable should guarantee its insulation ...
- 8,448
5
votes
Accepted
What type of crimping pliers do I need for these connectors
I believe crimping pliers for weather pack, metri-pack, or molex connectors will work. IWISS makes a tool just for those types of connectors. Alternatively, Paladin makes a crimping tool with die ...
- 218
5
votes
Accepted
How to wire a glow plug?
A glow plug is essentially an intentional short circuit that heats up a wire and ignites whatever fuel is in or connected to the glow plug.
Polarity rarely matters in this. But typically, the ...
- 603
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible