Classic Car Rewiring (part 2!)

[andyborris]

I'm also rewiring my car and have a couple of questions.....16 amp cable for a pair of main beams is more than enough....? Just checking my maths!

And I've read (and re-read!) the on-line MOT book, but just in case, is there any electrical system on a car (apart from ignition) that must be wired to only be live when the ignition is on? And this could be a MOT fail?

Thanks

Andy

[colnerov]

Hi, if it's 55w lights then yes it's more than enough, It would be enough for two 100w lights. Which are illegal as you know...right! In fact I always like to over spec cable for peace of mind.

All the MOT is concerned about is condition and security of wiring.

Colin

[andyborris]

Thanks Colin

One final question.

I have seen re-wires done with just red (live) and black (earth) wires, the cables are then marked at each end with those little colour coded grommets to identify them.

I can see several advantages to this, i.e. no working out cable runs and over buying of the different coloured cables and having much waste, 3 reels in each of the 2 colours saves money over many meters in many different colours and also saves a lot of measuring too.

Or am I missing something?

[nomad]

I think the MOT only checks that electrics all work, not how they have been wired up
Lights & horn normally work with the key out (so you can park on unlit streets and kids can toot the horn when you pop into the shops )

No reason why you can't rewire with just 2 colours (our Citroen Xsara only used 3!) but it's a pain if/when you need to trace any faults

Go for it!

[andyborris]

Nov 29, 2014 22:42:07 GMT nomad said:

No reason why you can't rewire with just 2 colours (our Citroen Xsara only used 3!) but it's a pain if/when you need to trace any faults

Go for it!

Thanks.

If I tag both ends of each cable, then it shouldn't be too much of a PITA to trace any faults. And if I take a bit of care, there shouldn't many faults!

Got to "Go for it" now, stripped the old loom out!

[optimusprime]

You could always slip diffent coloured flexi conduit onto the ends of cable runs, esp when running through to fuse box,under the dash etc.
So for instance the red conduit cable run is for enigine loom, the green is for front lights .. Etc etc if you see what i mean?

[ejenner]

Easiest thing to do is go to a breakers yard and cut looms out of cars there. Then strip them down and you've got lots of good cable of the right thickness and quality.

Goes without saying, doesn't it... that obviously you take wiring from a good car and avoid things like Alfa's or Citroens.

[Maizetina]

I have used a sierra loom in my 100e, stripping it back to basics using my own fuse box but copying the workshop manual diagrams.

[Deleted]

Side lights, horn and hazards(if fitted) have to work when the ignition is off.

The colours and grade of wiring Is not checked but it must be secure and in good condition in the engine bay area and not cause an hazard elsewhere within the car.