Wire gauge conversion help?

JohnnyP636

JohnnyP636

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I am relocating my rectifier on my track bike, one of the wires needs to be extended to put it where I want. The wire is marked AVS-3 which from my research is a thin covered wire for automotive. However I can not seem to find any charts online that convert the AVS size to AWG. At first I just matched up the outside diameter to 14 gauge, but then when I stripped the AVS-3 I realized that because the AVS has a thinner then usual outer coating, it actually makes the wire size inside much larger..

So yeah I am hoping someone here can help me convert AVS-3 to a north american gauge wire?
 
Copper and aluminum are both common wire types. Make sure you use the same type metal wire. Copper and aluminum should not be connected directly together in electrical applications due to oxidization.

The diameter of a wire (it's size, also refer to as American Wire Gauge) is only related to its current carrying capacity (amps). You should be able to use any size wire, equal to or greater than the original wire.

The outer coating is the insulation to protect the potential (votlage). If the wire has an insulation value, this should be met, again with some equal to or greater.

Basically, you don't need to match the exact wire. Same material type is important. Many sizes (anything larger) and insulation (anything higher) will work.
 
Sorry, one more thing. Instead of extending the wire, can you replace it entirely? By extending the wire, you will create another mechanical connection point. Another easy place for the system to fail.

I'm not a mechanic, so you'll know better then me. But in my line of work, which is electrical related, "splices" (extending wire) are avoided at all costs due to reliability.
 
Also there are different types of stranded wire. If the wire is subject to a lot of flexing or vibration both the stranding and insulation should be chosen for the appropriate charateristics. Resistance to heat, oil, UV, water all come into play for a road bike but for the track they may not matter.
 
N3WMAN said:
AVS-3 is 12 AWG
Click to expand...

Thanks guys but this was the kind of answer I was looking for. I'm not worried about insulation, just trying to make sure the wire inside is large enough to take the current. So same as avs-3 or larger.

And I'm talking about a 4" extension, which actually isn't going to extent the distance at all. It's just going in the opposite direction of where it used to go. 2 out of 3 wires I was able to open the wiring harness and just re route them but one also shared a connection up front so I left it and will be running another wire
 
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