Any harm in increasing wire gauge down the line?

[mashburn.nick]

Hello,

I have a 7-way umbilical cable that has 14 gauge wires for all of the wires that aren't ground or brakes. The 14-gauge wires will go mainly to different types of lights.

I previously purchases a ton of 12 gauge marine wire and no 14 gauge for some reason. Instead of buying 14 gauge, is there any harm in using 12 gauge connected to the 14 gauge from the umbilical cable?

Thanks!
Nick

[rmkrum]

None whatsoever. The fuses in the tow vehicle will still protect the smaller wires.

Wire size needs to be a minimum for the design current. It does not hurt if it is bigger than minimum needed.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Ummm ..... errrrr ...... The more common wire gauge for umbilicals is 10AWG. A lot of vehicle fusing is rated accordingly. A 30A fuse in your truck will not do a very good job of protecting 14 AWG (which needs a 15A fuse ....)

Bob

[rmkrum]

Hm. Only a few of the wires, like electrical brake power and ground in my umbilical are ‘bigger’ than the others. The rest are a bit lighter.

[mashburn.nick]

Ah, sorry. I should have clarified a bit more. Here's the cable coming from the TV to the junction box. https://www.towuniverse.com/Bargman-...icon-54006-010

My question is whether I can connect the Blue-Brown-Green-Yellow-14 gauge to a 12 gauge wire at the junction box.

[waninae39]

when our 7 way cable got damaged.

i replaced with one that used 12 and 10 gauge wire

[Wabbiteer]

There may* be the hazard of bulbs burning out in 1200 hours vs. 1500 hours since the 14.7VDC raw output of the alternator in FLA charge mode will not meet as much resistance volting along them fat conductors while crossing that 30~ feet of wire run


Well, at least the lamps my glow noticeably brighter.