Alternator wire gauge size?

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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 08:48 AM
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Default Alternator wire gauge size?

Hello,

Does anyone knows what is the gauge of thick red wire ( b+ I believe ) for the alternator? My rubber bushing for alternator mount got lose, and alternator vibrations have almost cut my wire harness coming to the alternator , so I have add new piece of the wire and solder everything back together.

I think that other two wires, Oil sensor and dash are 16 gauge

Car is 1993 Volvo 240.

Thank you.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2018 | 01:23 PM
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all the wires are metric. The alternator-to-starter power wire is 6mm^2 or 10mm^2, the signal wire gauges aren't given on the schematics.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by pierce
all the wires are metric. The alternator-to-starter power wire is 6mm^2 or 10mm^2, the signal wire gauges aren't given on the schematics.
Hi Pierce,

Thank you for your reply. Do you happens to know where I can by replacement wire? I looked online and didnt find any info
 
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 11:02 AM
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And if you have any diagram to share showing alternator wire size that would be awesome.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 12:47 PM
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the wiring diagrams I have can't be shared

I would probably measure the existing cable, determine what size ring terminals it has at both ends, and find the closest matching AWG size stuff (going up to the next smaller numbered, fatter AWG wire, like AWG 6), and fabricate the new cable. you should be able to find the wire by the foot, and the connectors at a decent auto parts store... avoid the big box chain stores, they tend to be useless.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 08:37 PM
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That is great advice , thank you! Is it just crazy that I cant find anywhere original AWG size for that wire...
 
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 09:06 PM
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you can't find hte AWG size because its not AWG (American Wire Gauge), its metric. metric wire gauges are given as area in square mm. the wiring diagrams literally show 6mm^2 (10m^2) suggesting it could be either of those sizes.

6mm^2 is between AWG 10 and 8. 10mm^2 is betweeen AWG 8 and 6. I think AWG 8 would be a suitable replacement.
 
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Old Aug 18, 2018 | 10:16 PM
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Hi Pierce,

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Thanks to your advices I have learned not to solder thicker wires and difference in metric and AWG gauges.
I have ended up going to junk yard and removing alternator wire from 1990 Volvo ( It should be the same as my 1993 Volvo ) so I will replace the whole wire and just solder other two small gauge wires.
 
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