MogLite Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Just wiring and piping the various bits on MogLite. I haven't a clue how much current a starter solenoid takes, so not sure what spec of wire to use. Being mid-engined, the wire will be about 4m long, so I need to take into account voltage drop potentially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02GF74 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Just wiring and piping the various bits on MogLite.I haven't a clue how much current a starter solenoid takes, so not sure what spec of wire to use. Being mid-engined, the wire will be about 4m long, so I need to take into account voltage drop potentially. 4m !!!!?!?!?!? I would say 40 mm2 would be sufficient (60 mm2 is avaialble and bigger but it becomes £££). I take it this is for the starter motor too not just the soleniod? Some may/will say bigger but my reasoning is if your engine is reliable, you would be cranking say for 5 seconds max - so although a slightly smaller cable may get a little bit warmer it should be ok; it is not like winching where you are drawing lots of amps for a long time. As for voltage drop, not sure if that is going to make much difference even if you went with a bigger cable; the lower voltage won't stop the engine from turning if the battery is in good nick but will sooner affect the igntion - maybe a smaller 12 V battery for the igntion that is switched in when the starter motor is turned to avoid voltage drop? (shouldn't be necessary if you have ballast coil or efi). I've used 40 mm2 on mine (not mid engine) and these are bigger than what was fitted before and I guess bigger than factory cable too; I ran another earth from crankcase to chassis and the engine whizzes round on the starter. obvious question is can't you move the battery nearer the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Brock Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Ain't this for the solonoid.....not the starter motor ? I used 4mm' on mine as its not fused locally as its on the Ign circuit IIRC... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Assuming you actually mean solenoid since that's what you said, the factory ones are about 10mm^2 aren't they? Not that big, anyway. I'd guess around 10A since a friend switches his with a push button (ignition switch died) and it's not melted yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MogLite Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 I reckon it will be 3-4m for sure, the starter is effectively behind the passenger seat, it has to be routed neatly to the steering column. I'm just talking solenoid - the main power feed for the starter is 40mm2 and that cable is probably just over 2m long to the battery, and we all know a 1/2 flat PP9 battery will spin over a V8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Ah.........solenoid doesnt draw that much current - 2mm2 should be more than adequate. Certainly the one on mine is no thicker than that. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark90 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I've just wired mine up with 3mm^2, which should be fine even for a 4m run, go for 4mm^2 if you want a bigger safety margin, but it's probably overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minivin Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 ah busbar it all the way, problem solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MogLite Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 Cool - I've deffo got a few rolls of sub 4mm2 wire kicking around - now the decision of what colour. Brown, red or yellow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonk Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 well its not a main power wire so i think it should be striped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Cool - I've deffo got a few rolls of sub 4mm2 wire kicking around - now the decision of what colour. Brown, red or yellow Oh come on it has to be Orange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8CAMEL Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Oh come on it has to be Orange white with a dandy red stripe as it is switched live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark90 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I used brown with a red stripe, got about 1m left I think, might fit if you stretched it a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landrover598 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Mine's pink for some reason Not sure what guage it is, but the cable is about 4mm thick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.