Can I Connect Different Sized Wires?

Nico asks, "Hi Jeff, my water pump and bilge pump have 16awg sized wire and my switch panel has 12 awg wire. Can I connect the different sized wires together or will I have a problem? I just bought this boat two months ago, it is fifty years old and I am doing a complete rewire. Your KZbin channel has helped me so much, thank you!"
Read our Tech Talk Article from Pacific Yachting Magazine, "How To Create A Wiring Diagram For Your Boat", www.pysystems.ca/resources/te...
Check out the PYS website for more information on your AC & DC panel, www.pysystems.ca/products/pow...
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[@DestryGustin]

Thanks for taking the time to educate us with these videos

[@leeholdawy1469]

Hi Jeff, this is my first boat and ive got to day this little snip bits and so useful . I live the " strive for perfection and don't compromise in just getting things done.. Thanks a bunch..

[@PacificYachtSystems]

That's correct, get it done right the first time.

[@georgebetar923]

Lovin all these great questions, ty Jeff.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

My pleasure!

[@martinbrien1389]

great series!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Martin.

[@cristianocortonesi8935]

I love your videos!!! Just one suggestion, it would be even more effective if you show the components your speak about and their installations. Please continue to tell us more!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point, we'll try to get more props.

[@dbayboyds409]

How do you protect a terminal strip from water or arcing in a smaller boat? Loving this series!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

One option, would be to install the terminal strip in a sealed junction box with cable glands for the wire entry.

[@josidasilva5515]

The overcurrent protection device must be rated for the lowest rating of the interconnected wires.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Josi, you bang-on. Protect for the weakest link.

[@philippebaudet6124]

Thanks for your generosity Jeff, very valuable expertise and advises always. One question if I may, what does the regulation says about the usage of AC cables (EU 3wires, blue, braun and yellow/green) to carry DC on a boat ? Somme shipyard seems to do this but It seems to me potentially very confusing for later maintenance. What says the legislation and should I accept this on a new boat ?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Depends where your boat is build. Basically follow the local regulations for color codes. Here in North America we follow the ABYC standard.

[@montaguemonro565]

Hi Jeff, I've been looking for terminal strips and all I can see are plastic screw down terminal strips, I picture in my head something more like a bus bar, could you possibly elaborate or link me to what I should be looking for? Loving the series!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Montague, here is a link to a the terminal strip we use all the time: www.bluesea.com/products/2504/Terminal_Block_30A_-_4_Circuit

[@losmoore3358]

I have a 2011 silverado LT 1500 low beam headlight 16 awg wire harness. Im replacing the burnt connector with a pigtail wire that is 18 awg wire. Is it acceptable? Any problems i might have ?

[@michaelmalone4268]

I need to move a ceiling light about 12 inches and all I have is 14/2 wire and I am not sure what gauge currently powers the light - is this a safe connection for only 12 inches

[@Do-iz6qd]

This is a small boat question, but I'm rigging up some 5 metre led strip lights and the wires that you connect to are very thin (not sure of gauge). You advise not to use butt connectors with different gauge wire but was wondering how ill conceived this would be if I did? The boat is a tinny so the led strip will get wet and I'm not to sure about a terminal strip on a tinny in an open environment. Any advise would be appreciated. Cheers

[@PacificYachtSystems]

you could probably find a little plastic box to make the connections in. Or try the butts and just make sure you pull test them afterwards to confirm the smaller wire doesn't pull out. They do make butt connectors with a different size on each end. Also folding the small wire in half back on itself will help to fill up the butt.

[@Do-iz6qd]

@@PacificYachtSystems Sorry for the late reply...cheers for the ideas.

[@djaztec97]

First question: Is there a range in size that I can connect 2 different wires on a terminal strip (ex. connecting #20 AWG on one end of terminal strip and connecting #14 on other end? Second question: If my terminal strip is design for inserting wires and not ring connectors, can I connect two different sizes on a terminal strip without a ring connector?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

1) The terminal strip is rated for a certain ampacity, in turn the wires connected to this terminal strip will only be able to handle a certain size connector (e.g. for example a 20 amp terminal block, will not be able to fit a #6 lug, but would easily fit a 10-12 connector on one side and a 18-20 connector on the other side 2) Again make sure your terminal strip can handle the maximum current, besides that inserting different sized wire should not matter.

[@learnthrivecompassion422]

So 30 awg to 26 awg in same circuit ok?

[@jamesrahn8339]

How do you feel about solder connectors in general?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good question, on boats you have to do a compressed connection. Soldering is something you can add to the compressed connection if wanted.

[@jamesrahn8339]

@@PacificYachtSystems I guess my question especially applies to electronics and specifically a transducer tail ( plug) I wanted to cut it off, do my pull and solder it all back together at the MFD. Scared me a bit so I made the pain in the ass pull with it on... 😂

[@juniorcortes2478]

So I just bought a boat and the trolling motor connection is a Four gauge but the plug that I’m putting on Is it 10 gauge will that be a problem

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Junior Cortes, 10 gauge wire can only handle 30 amps of current, follow the manufactures advice on selecting the wire size for both amperage and voltage drop.

[@adamd5013]

When do we need to use a fuse between a large wire source and a smaller wire load?

[@diogobz268]

as long as the whole circuit protection is properly rated for the smaller diameter wire, you won't need a fuse in between the wires.

[@adamd5013]

@@diogobz268 good answer thanks

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Diogo is correct, protect the smaller wire and the larger wire will be protect too.

[@joeselzer850]

well i not have a boat or any thing like that i just want to know how i can connect a 8 Gage wire on to a 16 Gage because i need to connect a Female Power Jack Connector it will only fite 12 or 16 Gage but not a 8 Gage so i have to add a short 16 Gage maybe only a inch long or shorter to add the Female Power Jack Connector at the other and i need to ass 16 Gage to 8 Gage from the produt to the 8 Gage wire

[@otsouycoco4418]

where is your demonstration? what is th epoint of going video when you will not demonstrate it to us?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@jameseby-ny3eu]

So why Did garmin make there power supply leads 22 gauge ...Down to garmin !!!

[@br5498]

Need to offer some khaki hats.... 😬

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hey Tony, noted!

[@MMASulu]

A little constructive criticism: Watching your videos, I notice you make an assumption your audience has some base level knowledge. I find that I end up having to figure out most this out through forums. An example of this is saying not to connect wires that are too dissimilar because it can cause grief. But you don't explain what exactly would happen. Still not a bad video, but likely would not recommend to rookie seamen