Front Fog Light Cable

Hi,

I've being doing a bit of repair work on my front fog lights. I've got them working but with a problem..

I had to extend the cable in engine bay to the fog lamp and I used speaker wire. When I tested the connection, the fog lamp worked but the wire started melting and smouldering straight away. Does anyone know of the correct cable I can use to take the power the fog lamp needs?

Cheers,

Paul

 

At least 1.0mm sq, i generally oversize them and use 1.5 or 2.0, bit more cable there to allow for some deterioration over the oncoming years.

 

Thanks Tristan,

I've just spoken to my Dad and he has got some old flex from a table lamp. Do you think that would suffice for the fog lamps?

Cheers,

Paul

 

https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-48-cables/c-200-single-core-standard-pvc-cable

1mm sq. 8.75 amp
2mm sq. 17.5 amp
3mm sq. 27.5 amp
4.5mm sq. 35 amp

That's for standard pvc cable. Thinwall can carry a bit more, because the thinner pvc insulation dissipates the heat more easily...
https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-48-cables/c-198-single-core-pvc-thin-wall-cable

 

Tbh I'd just get a small roll of proper red and black cable, its dirt cheap.

 

Thanks for the help folks

 

Mains flex for a table lamp tends to be 0.5mm sq. or 0.75mm sq. They are rated at about 3 amp and 6 amp respectively. Probably no better than the speaker cable you tried.

Best to get a length of something better. It will always come in handy.

 

As above, get some proper thin wall or automotive stuff. The site @h8v linked is very good and reasonably priced if you have OCD. The standard wire is 1.5mm2 thick wall (FLK) wire. I've swapped all mine to 2mm2 thin wall (FLR) wire