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.
I would like to second the notion of using silicone insulated wire. First the down side The silicone insulation is not as resistant to abrasion but once in place inside our locomotives it does not rub so much especially if you are careful how you route it. Second it is much more flexible, easier to handle and fish through twisting paths, and does not get stiff when cold. My third and favorite point is it is much more heat resistant. In the event of a short it can reach 482°F before the silicone insulation fails as opposed to 221°F for PVC insulation. If you have to route it through the bottom of a frame against a sharp edge you can add a short piece of heat shrink in the area that rubs. Or do as I do and modify the truck mount so that wires can pass through the pivot point of the truck. I have ordered super flex silicone wire from multiple sellers on ebay and it is not significantly higher than PVC. Below are a couple of links to AWG wire size / current capability charts. Note that multi strand wire cannot carry the same current as solid core copper. j
https://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
