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Veteran
Posts: 186
Location: Northern Illinois | hi, im about to rewire my 55 dodge custom royal, remove all the braided insulation and replace with modern wire. I have the wiring diagram with all the correct gauge and wire and im doing it as close as factory as I can get. the question is have is the older wire seems much thicker (insulation and gauge). for example im starting on the front end lighting section. the manual calls for 16 gauge and 14 gauge for the headlight connecter (red and black). the new 14 and 16 gauge wire is so much smaller than the factory. I know headlight circuits draw a lot of current, these just seem too small. any thoughts? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains | Because the 55 was 6 volt which uses a larger wire (something to do with ohms law) and the insulation on the old 6 volt is thicker. 14 ga is the wire size and should be the same, I would just use all 14 ga, on everything (unless show car) it never hurts to go bigger but smaller is not good. |
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Expert
Posts: 3768
Location: NorCal | A lot has to do with the wire jacket material, the thinner jacket (PVC, PE) on newer wire probably has the same insulating ability as the older thicker material. |
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Veteran
Posts: 186
Location: Northern Illinois | thanks guys for your input. it does make sense. I am going to convert to neg ground 12 volt also and run a 12 generator to keep it original looking. the car is not a show car just a driver for now. any experience with Rhode Island wiring? just checked their website seem pretty reasonable on price. would save me a little on the labor of building my own |
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Expert
Posts: 4034
Location: Connecticut | If you go 12V, your gauges, heater, bulbs, radio, horn, etc will all need to be changed to 12V. I would leave it 6V positive ground. Ron |
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Veteran
Posts: 186
Location: Northern Illinois | hi ron, yeah I knew I had to change all of that. like yourself many people told me to leave it 6 volt. my memories of 6 volt systems (tractors) was slow crank time and dimming lights at idle and not too reliable. the plan was to modernize the car so it can be ready for daily driving (12 volt electric ignition). luckily the 56 dodge is basically the same car with 12 volts and i have a parts source who has the right parts for the job. whats your opinion on keeping it 6 volt? |
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Expert
Posts: 4034
Location: Connecticut | My 6V 55 Desoto cranks the starter like it should and starts after two or three revs. You have to rebuild the starter as well as rewire the entire car. The reason that people bad mouth 6V systems is that they are trying to start a car using corroded, 60+ year old wiring. The electrical system has to be fresh with minimal resistance. Ron |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains |
.............. that's why all new cars made after 2018 will be 6 volt ! ..........(sorry, just kidding) |
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