17 replies to this topic

[Alchemist]

I have seen some cars built using two wires per pole as lead wire. What is the purpose of this method please?

I've read that #18 awg wire is preferred but can you use 22 awg wire as lead wires (single wire per pole) for hot rewinds? Or, would I need to "double wire?"

Thank you for your input.

Ernie

[TSR]

Ernie,
We used to do triple and quadruple in the old days...
Small more flexible wires were perceived in more flexibility and if one broke, there were backups... kind of.
Of course today with much better wire quality, it is simply not necessary.

[Gator Bob]

Ernie, also the limited current carrying capacity and higher resistance of small gauge vintage wire.



Consider a Belt and Suspenders approach when running for a championship.
Note that both sets of wires make their connection at different points on the guide flag

[Pablo]

Twin wires always gave the impression the motor was a power sucking horsepower monster
It gave the car "The Look"

[tonyp]

In the old days the wires on the motors was crap, broke real easy. The fast guys started using Marklin train wire because it was nice and flexible. Of course the more wires you used the "faster" you were. Bob Emott was the first I ever saw use the Marklin wire on his cars...

[DOCinCanton]

I recall using double or triple wires on each side. Back in the day that Tony and Bob are talking about (late 60s, early '70s), we were running double 27 winds, single 24 and single 25. So the impression was that we needed to conduct more current from the guide flag back to the motor. In addition, the multiple lead wires did act as a backup if one broke, as stated above.

However, today the winds that we are using are 29 or 30 (maybe even 31). Therefore only one lead wire on each side is needed and the wire is soooo much better today than way back then.

[Alchemist]

Thanks for the great answers!

If I may ask again please:

With wires being better made today, can you use "#22 awg wire" single wire per pole for hot rewinds?

Thanks again!

Ernie

[Gator Bob]

What is a hot rewind? Most likely, Yes.

Drag car use #18

[TSR]

Ernie,
Are you trying to blow the house fuses?

[Gator Bob]

The #22 might act as a fuseable link. Any gray Cox wire left?

[Gator Bob]

Twin wires always gave the impression the motor was a power sucking horsepower monster
It gave the car "The Look"

MoPowah

[Alchemist]

Hi Bob,

My thoughts on "hot rewinds" are the motors Sir John Havlicek built for me last year. He used wire gauges from #23 thru #28 and I did request them built "hot" - even though I cannot drive - hahahaha!!!

Hi Dokk!

I'll see if the fuses blow!! I was just asking because I came across a roll of silicone jacketed #22 awg wire - I thought it was #20 but was mistaken. That's why I asked if i could get away with using it. From the responses, I've deduced the answer is "NO!"

Thanks!

Ernie

[Gator Bob]

The #22 awg will work fine with 28, 27, 26 for the Hot 23, 24 25 use #20 or even #18awg.
Keep in mind the weight and flex as you go to a lower # heavier gauge.

[S.O. Watt]

Twin 22 ga lead wires will work, about the same as "19" ga.

This discussion brought back a memory of the last time "back in the day" that I ran single wires. Yes, one broke in the heat of the moment. I had managed to do a "strip and tuck" with the power on and make the move-up. July, 1968........

With the advent of the more flexible multi strand wire with silicone jacketing, typically in 18ga, the need for dual wires has been muted. People just change them out more often now to ensure no breakage.

That 22 ga wire could be da bomb for retro.......

[Phil Hackett]

These big lead wires to end up at the motor where the electrons are funneled down through small shunt wire and the incidental contact of the motor brushes to the brush hardware. Then the electrons are shoved through the small contact patch of the brush onto the commutator that leads to the small wire that composes the armature windings.

How many amps are you guys pulling? Where is the biggest resistance in the circuit I described? I don't think the lead wires are a problem with electrical resistance. Resistance in breaking and resistance in twisting, I can understand that.

[Ron Hershman]

I have used 16 ga, 18 ga, 20 ga lead wires over the years along with some 18-22 ga magnet wire.

Was told the size of the wire affected the speed of the car....bull hockey...spent a day on a road course and a drag strip switching. switching switching...doing all kids of back to back test and never seen any change of lap or straight away times between the wires alone.

The most important thing is selecting lead wire is the weight of it.... some 18 ga lead wire is more heavy than another brand of 18 ga lead wire due to the "jacket" on the wire and/or the number of strands in the wire to being with.

Thinner jacket lighter weight...but will break easier over time...

Two types of wire out there.....copper...very flexible and plated cooper....a tad stiffer and the plated stuff breaks easier than copper in most cases.

Most guys run 18 ga leads.......... if running anything smaller inspect often.

I change leads after every race....not taking any chances.

On and NEVER use acid flux on lead wires.....always use paste flux.

[Alchemist]

Thanks for your input Ron - appreciate it!

Ernie

[GearBear]

We run the 20awg lead wire all the time on our Eurosports, My current Euro motor is an 18T 24.5awg Valiko arm in a Camen with a 6 mag Cobalt. I also have a 19t 24.5awg 6 mag, and a 21t 25awg in a single mag setup. I run all of these on the small 20awg wires.

On my OMO car I run a 75 wind. I use the 18awg lead wire on it.