Hey there everyone,
So i fried my dash harness as i didn't put any circuit protection in before i added the higher output alternator, and i was just wondering where everyone goes to get their wire and connectors from? I don't know if automotive wiring is any different from normal wire that you can get from home despot or any thing like that, but i figured if i was gonna do it, i might as well do it right, and get high quality stuff. Any suggestions? I would prefer to get all the right colors and not buy bulk, but i'll do what i have to i guess.
Thanks,
Allen

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1962 Valiant V-200
170 C.I. Super Six, HEI, Dutra Duals

The most critical difference between automotive wire and household wire is that automotive wire is stranded. You mustn't use household type solid-conductor wire in automotive service; it's not able to withstand the constant vibration and will fail. Plus, all the connectors and terminals you need for automotive work are designed for use with stranded wire. You can get good quality stranded wire in a large selection of gauges and colours from NAPA (Belden brand) or any other reasonably high-end auto parts supplier. Generic terminals and connectors come from the same sources. Special terminals and connectors can be harder to track down. Which ones will you be needing?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Well most of the unique connectors seem pretty good (but i guess i'll know better when i get into it), so probably just some butt connectors and ring terminals, which i assume NAPA will have.
Do you think NAPA will have all of the colors that i need?
THanks,
Allen

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1962 Valiant V-200
170 C.I. Super Six, HEI, Dutra Duals

Try www.delcity.net or www.genuinedealz.com if you don't mind mail ordering. I like using marine grade stuff - higher temp rated insulation so it doesn't melt back while soldering and also tinned wire to avoid corrosion.

For the price of a small pack at napa you can buy in quantity... get a list going and put in one bigger order so the shipping loss is minimal.

My local independent hardware store sells stranded wire by the foot, and has many colors in many gauges. Maybe you have something like that in your neighborhood? It's cheaper than buying pre-packaged wire.

I couldn't always match the OEM colors (especially the tracer stripes) so I try to label the wire (tach, oil press, etc.) where it comes out of the harness wrap.

Steve

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1966 Dodge Dart GT

Home Depot has stranded primary wire in several colors and gauges, 25 and 50 ft spools.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I bought a lot of varied guages and colors of auto primary wire off ebay for about $40. It was much cheaper than the auto store. Just do a search for "primary wire". The wire I got was made in USA.

I've found Waytek to be a good source of wire, cable, connectors, breakers, etc. http://www.waytekwire.com/

Howdy, You might give this outfit a try.

http://www.riwire.com/

ken

It's not just stranded vs solid - you'll want good insulation that can stand up to underhood heat. TLX is one good grade of automotive wire. Some of the "automotive" parts store wire doesn't have the same temperature resistance as TLX wiring.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

TXL, GXL, SXL are all crosslinked-polymer insulation. They definitely have nice high heat resistance, but remember, the factory didn't use it until very recently. All of our cars (and the ones that came after those, and the ones that came after those) had ordinary PVC or similar insulation.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.