Can you tell me what size wire I need, or how many amps the solenoid
 for a
 Mazda starter draws?



 Sandy McNabb

 Renesis in a Glass Goose

 As near as I can tell the the resistance of the solonoid is
 about .8 ohm.

 So the current will be about 15 AMPs. At 12 volts. V/R = A
 http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

 Lookslike about 10 gage stranded wire.

 Paul Lamar


 10 gauge is way overkill for a solenoid, which is intermittently
 used.The chart is for NEC code, which is continuous loading,
 which relies on max bundle size for wiring. Hence 14 gauge
 for 15 amp breakers (lighting loads) and 12 gauge for wall
 sockets (20 Amp breakers).

 14 gauge would be sufficient for solenoid use.I would be
 surprised if Mazda used anything larger.

 Bob Knuckles, Aeroelectric, puts out a pretty good book
 on aircraft wiring that I would recommend.

 Tom W

 -----------------------------------------------

 Tom W,

 I learned how to use my multi-meter to measure amps. The starter
 solenoid draws 8.14 amps so I'm considering an 18 AWG wire with a
 10 amp fuse....or should I go higher?

 Sandy McNabb
 Renesis in a Glass Goose

 Sandy, what are you gaining by using smaller wire?

 What you lose is a tiny bit of power to the solenoid.

 Starters are around 3 HP so 190 amps so the solenoid
 current is minuscule by comparison.

 Paul Lamar


 Is this wire kust to activate the solonoid, or carry the current
 to the Starter motor ? Virg

Just to activate the solonoid.

Paul Lamar



   Then 18/16 Ga should be enough, Virg

I don't think 18 is acceptable.

10 gage is .1 inch in diameter and 16 gage is .05

inch in diameter what are you buying by scrimping
on wire size?

12 gage is .08 inches in diameter.

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm


Paul Lamar