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Best budget wire for LED lights?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by crackedmirror, Jul 2, 2021.

  1. Jul 2, 2021 at 3:16 PM
    #1
    crackedmirror

    crackedmirror [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What should I be looking for? Want to do a few wiring projects and rerouting around the truck. Want to keep it inexpensive.
     
  2. Jul 3, 2021 at 10:05 PM
    #2
    6 gearT444E

    6 gearT444E Certified Electron Pusher

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    What gauge? What’s the purpose/function of the wire? In the cab or in the engine bay?
     
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  3. Jul 4, 2021 at 5:55 AM
    #3
    crackedmirror

    crackedmirror [OP] Well-Known Member

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    for led lights, so like 20awg.
     
  4. Jul 4, 2021 at 6:02 AM
    #4
    Key-Rei

    Key-Rei Well-Known Member

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    I've got to pick a parts and harvested wiring from harnesses in junk cars for the cheap before.
     
  5. Jul 4, 2021 at 6:10 AM
    #5
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Spend a few extra pennies and use #18 wire much easer to deal with and less likely to break trying to twist them together.
     
  6. Jul 5, 2021 at 4:24 PM
    #6
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    The best deal on wire is what you have on the Shelf prices are crazy!

    Not as bad as I thought 14Gauge TXL $133.00/500'

    I really never go smaller then 14 gauge then I buy in 500' or 1000' spools
     
    crackedmirror[OP] likes this.
  7. Jul 5, 2021 at 4:37 PM
    #7
    crackedmirror

    crackedmirror [OP] Well-Known Member

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    14 would be too big for things like brake lights etc, no? esp if they'e led. but, i agree with keeping it simple. i'd rather have 500' spools of red, black, and white in 3 gauges than have 100' spools of 6 different gauges
     
  8. Jul 6, 2021 at 5:11 AM
    #8
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Too big isn't a problem too small is. LED current draw is minimal, yes you can get by with small wire but tiny wire is a pain to work with and breaks easily. Why do you need 500'? Doing a few dozen wiring jobs?
     
  9. Jul 6, 2021 at 6:07 AM
    #9
    crackedmirror

    crackedmirror [OP] Well-Known Member

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    no, just one. but eventually want to redo the whole wiring harness
     
  10. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:36 AM
    #10
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Automotive wiring left to it's own devices 99% of the time does not go bad, sure sockets, switches, damage or corrosion but the wiring it's self is damn dependable. Automotive wiring runs from a #2 to a #22 one of the more common is #18 so you better stock up. I am a firm believer if it ain't broke don't fix it.
     
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  11. Jul 6, 2021 at 12:07 PM
    #11
    HisDad

    HisDad Well-Known Member

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    Unless it's something like power for a two way radio or an auxiliary fuse box, I find #18 is adequate for most auto electrical projects. I'll use #20 for speakers, but I don't run high power audio or amplifiers. Larger than #18, you can run into space issues if running multiple wires in the rocker panel channels in the interior.

     
    crackedmirror[OP] likes this.
  12. Jul 6, 2021 at 2:29 PM
    #12
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    #18 is fine for about 10 amps, speakers really don't matter because the load is low but if you run a big amp you would want some pretty hefty wire to get ear splitting noise to the speakers!
     
  13. Jul 6, 2021 at 2:36 PM
    #13
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    The larger the Quantity the better the price.

    Building wire harnesses or fixing them it does not last long when people forget to unplug the light cord all to often.

    Even worse they forgot the Horse in the Trailer once Now that was an exciting event.
     
  14. Jul 16, 2021 at 5:22 AM
    #14
    Naveronski

    Naveronski Well-Known Member

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    You don't know which size wire to use for some LED lights, but want to buy 500' of it to redo your truck's entire wiring harness?

    This has to be a troll. :crazy:
     
  15. Jul 16, 2021 at 5:56 AM
    #15
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    OP is just trying to set a record for questions asked when a little reading and research all the answers can be found
     
  16. Jul 16, 2021 at 6:03 AM
    #16
    wrightme43

    wrightme43 Well-Known Member

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    There is a ex-mennonite guy in town here. He makes artisan handcrafted wire for the L.E.D. underglow on the buggies. I will ask him if I see him at the light and wire fair this weekend.
     

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