hi all i'm debating making my own engine loom, i would like to know what size wire to order? is it called thin type?

cheers

 

You're thinking of THINWALL, this carries much much more current size for size than the older stuff, and is more abrasion resistant too.
Depends entirely on which circuits you need to power, but the load capacity will be on the sites, for small orders www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk are very good, but www.polevolt.co.uk is another and www.automarine.co.uk
Sensors need only a tiny supply(current wise) so shouldn't need any more than 16/020 for these, and most stuff on a engine loom.
tabetha

 

 

very good info Tabs

 

Excellent. Thinking or doing same my self. Thanks.

 

Raychem is the brand that alot of good loom builders use.

 

while we are on the subject of engine loom building, does anyone do the screened wire you need a bit of on cossie looms??

Also anyone know where you can get the decent quality braided cover? Most the polyester ones ive seen are not that good and have quite an open weave where as i prefer the tightly woven stuff. I would like the kevlar fibre reinforced stuff i used to see in aerospace looms as if its good enough for them then its good enough for me!!!

 

thanks tabs i cant think anything on the engine that would draw more than 11amps per wire.. does volt drop come into the wiring?

maybe 1mm wire for the earths and the relay supplys icv and amal valve.

when it comes to the screened wire does the screened part of the wire need to be connected to the ecu??

 

RE: Screened wire.
I think its supposed to be earthed seperatly to the ECU (so its not connected to ECU earths). but close to the ECU end of the loom.. thats how i did mine and its been totally problem free.

 

Screened wire - good all-rounder is Belden 8761 - see http://uk.farnell.com/belden/8761-06...153m/dp/761278

Farnell also stock braided sleeving, but another good supplier is VDC Trading - http://www.vdctrading.com/products_g...uctID=640#p640 - let me know if you want any ordered as can get it for around half price - carriage is Ł8.

HTH
Chris

 

most ecu etc are around 3/5 amps max so 0.20 is fine and this is what i use on all my pectel t2 harnesses.

warren if you want some 2 core screen then send me a pm as ive got 100s metres as i use this at work and its best to earth the screen at the ecu side rather than the crank or cam sensors as its a short run of earth other wise you would have to take a 0.20 earth cable around the engine bay. just make sure you earth one side only!!
as for the overbraid i use the polyster as the heat resistant overbraid is very expensive and did not make fiancial to me as i simply just sleeve areas that are prone to extreme heat. i mean if your wirings over 90 degree the insulation would start to melt anyway.

hope this helps lads and i get mine from vwp

cheers paul

 

thanks for your repleys, does anyone know exactly what type braid ryan looms use?

 

ahhh but i look at worst case and it takes time with the mil/aero spec high temp high cut resist braids for the heat to soak through thus in something like a quick engine bay fuel flash over fire and extinguisher activation you can reduce the damage caused to mostly cosmetics and plastics/hoses.

 

bttt