Wire Gauge (AWG)

[chi-town-biker]

Thanks for the advice Don. If I remember correctly the CIMs have 12 gauge wires. Just so I'm clear, you usually cut the CIM wires near the motor and solder on 10 gauge wire that you run back to the Jaguar? Or do you use a connector like a Powerpole to make the transition from 12 gauge to 10 gauge?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

chi,
It is far more simple to place the speed controller near enough to the motor that you can connect the motor wires directly to the speed controller. No splices are needed and the number of connections (failure points) are reduced.

[Bill_B]

I think the CIMs have 14 gauge leads. I sometimes wonder if the original designer of this motor knows about its extended life outside the initial specs.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by chi-town-biker

Just so I'm clear, you usually cut the CIM wires near the motor and solder on 10 gauge wire that you run back to the Jaguar? Or do you use a connector like a Powerpole to make the transition from 12 gauge to 10 gauge?

If the wiring on the motor can reach the Jaguar, we just crimp on terminals. If the motor wiring doesn't reach the Jaguar - this is rare for us - we use Powerpoles with wires cut to maybe 8" (not too close, never know if you need to cut them again).

Also, the motor wires might be #14.

Wire is rated based on heat. If you put some #30 wire in liquid nitrogen, it'll happily run 20 A all day long. #14 wire in free, moving air will also handle 20 A happily enough. But since fire due to overheating wire is considered a catastrophe, conservatism is called for, and ratings are based on certain assumptions such as the wires not being in free air.

That's how CIM can put #14 wire on these motors: They know how they are likely to be used, and #14 is adequate.

[ratdude747]

the CIM wires are in fact 14 gauge. yes, that means they take "blue" crimp connectors, not "yellow" ones.

my only guess to why they only used 14 gauge for a 40A load is that it is such a short run that it "works".

[chi-town-biker]

Thanks everyone. That was helpful.

[zjbrannan]

Thanks for the help everyone!!