Skip to main content

Reply to "Correct Wire Size/Gauge for Repairs ?"

RonH posted:
O Gauge Jim posted:

Most tend to use larger than necessary wire when re-wiring components in a locomotive.  I use very flexible wire, size 22 and buy it from Amazon. The number 22 flexible wire is also excellent for rewiring  from the pick up rollers to  lighting inside of passenger cars and cabooses,  also from the pick up rollers to the whistle  mechanisms in tenders.

Also, if I am extending the length of an existing wire such as you plan to do on the e-unit, I cover the connection with shrink tubing rather than electrical tape. The shrink tubing is permanent while the electrical tape is not only difficult to apply neatly,  but bulky and overtime will start to come apart.

Jim

I also use the super 22 gauge flex wire on my prewar rebuilds. Not like the original cloth covered wire it has a silicone jacket (buy mine in black) and over 100 strands of the twisted wire. Very flexible and will last. 

If you are worried about the current draw check your loco with a amp meter and see what it draws and also google the current capabilities of the wire.

For the distances used within a locomotive, you won't have a long enough piece of wire to have significant resistance.  Consider that the total current flow ( except for the ligth bulb) that comes through the third rail flows through either the field coil of the motor or the coil of the E-unit.  The wire in those coils is much smaller than #22.  If several feet of very small wire can stand the loco current, a few inches of #22 isn't going to have any problem with that current.  Therefore, the current draw of the locomotive  isn't useful for answering this question.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
×