Size of wire - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Big Blue · 08-10-2017, 07:54 PM

I am running an electric fuel pump. What size of wire do I need to use. ALSO, Do i have to use a larger fuel line instead of the stock line that is already their?

Thanks, John

franken · 08-10-2017, 08:09 PM

Depends on the current needs of the pump.
Depends on the fuel needs of the engine.

lsversaw · 08-10-2017, 09:22 PM

Your pump should say on it how many amps it draws. Thats the amount of current it needs; amps is the unit of measure for current.

Estimate the distance between the pump and it's power supply, which may be the battery, a fuse block, or a terminal block.

Then go to the table here:
http://assets.bluesea.com/files/reso...on_chartlg.jpg

...and find the gauge that corresponds to your combination of amps and length. If you want an adequate connection, use the 10% drop column. If you like overkill -- and who here doesn't? -- then use the 3% column.

If you are a 3% guy, like me, and you have to buy wire, get wire that's labelled "GXL". It's more heat resistant.
Posted via Mobile Device

Big Blue · 08-10-2017, 10:30 PM

Thank you both, Both were great answers and I will use what you said. As far as the fuel line, do I really need to up the size of the line?

John

lsversaw · 08-11-2017, 03:25 PM

My opinion is that if you're not doing anything to drastically increase fuel useage -- like a bigger engine, a turbo, a supercharger -- then you don't need to increase the fuel line size.

If you're coverting to fuel injection, that's another story, and the manufacturer will specify the details of the fuel lines.
Posted via Mobile Device

Big Blue · 08-11-2017, 07:11 PM

Thanks lsversaw, naw its just a stock 350 with an edelbrock 650.

John

08-10-2017, 07:54 PM	#1
Big Blue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northeast--Bethlehem, Pennslyvania Posts: 642	Size of wire I am running an electric fuel pump. What size of wire do I need to use. ALSO, Do i have to use a larger fuel line instead of the stock line that is already their? Thanks, John __________________ Big Blue ( John ) 79 Chevy Pick up.....My Dailey STILL Working on a frame up: 1987 Truck body on a 78 Blazer frame. Need cab blasted to start project. Got the cab BLASTED, Now Prep and Paint. Started to lay SOME BONDO and primer. Done, Ordering paint. Got paint, Stuff painted,Cab,Fenders, Hood more later. 9/7/2015 Got the clear coat on,now time to take one off. Started to put things back (What a nightmare) like the heating and AC stuff,inside wire harness, outside AC unit and booster, still more. May 2016, still working on the inside. Got duck work in,heating and AC. Radio (stock) in dash with after market in console later, Speaker are hooked up, Steering column is in. Getting ready to drop the cab onto the frame, Working on engine now since I have the room. Well here it is 2018, got the engine in and it runs, now I need to get the exhaust system in so I can adjust the lifters, to loud right now. Got the exhaust on now I am waiting for the break parts to come in.

08-10-2017, 08:09 PM	#2
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,052	Re: Size of wire Depends on the current needs of the pump. Depends on the fuel needs of the engine.

08-10-2017, 09:22 PM	#3
lsversaw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: McPherson, KS Posts: 86	Re: Size of wire Your pump should say on it how many amps it draws. Thats the amount of current it needs; amps is the unit of measure for current. Estimate the distance between the pump and it's power supply, which may be the battery, a fuse block, or a terminal block. Then go to the table here: http://assets.bluesea.com/files/reso...on_chartlg.jpg ...and find the gauge that corresponds to your combination of amps and length. If you want an adequate connection, use the 10% drop column. If you like overkill -- and who here doesn't? -- then use the 3% column. If you are a 3% guy, like me, and you have to buy wire, get wire that's labelled "GXL". It's more heat resistant. Posted via Mobile Device

08-10-2017, 10:30 PM	#4
Big Blue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northeast--Bethlehem, Pennslyvania Posts: 642	Re: Size of wire Thank you both, Both were great answers and I will use what you said. As far as the fuel line, do I really need to up the size of the line? John __________________ Big Blue ( John ) 79 Chevy Pick up.....My Dailey STILL Working on a frame up: 1987 Truck body on a 78 Blazer frame. Need cab blasted to start project. Got the cab BLASTED, Now Prep and Paint. Started to lay SOME BONDO and primer. Done, Ordering paint. Got paint, Stuff painted,Cab,Fenders, Hood more later. 9/7/2015 Got the clear coat on,now time to take one off. Started to put things back (What a nightmare) like the heating and AC stuff,inside wire harness, outside AC unit and booster, still more. May 2016, still working on the inside. Got duck work in,heating and AC. Radio (stock) in dash with after market in console later, Speaker are hooked up, Steering column is in. Getting ready to drop the cab onto the frame, Working on engine now since I have the room. Well here it is 2018, got the engine in and it runs, now I need to get the exhaust system in so I can adjust the lifters, to loud right now. Got the exhaust on now I am waiting for the break parts to come in.

08-11-2017, 03:25 PM	#5
lsversaw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: McPherson, KS Posts: 86	Re: Size of wire My opinion is that if you're not doing anything to drastically increase fuel useage -- like a bigger engine, a turbo, a supercharger -- then you don't need to increase the fuel line size. If you're coverting to fuel injection, that's another story, and the manufacturer will specify the details of the fuel lines. Posted via Mobile Device

08-11-2017, 07:11 PM	#6
Big Blue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northeast--Bethlehem, Pennslyvania Posts: 642	Re: Size of wire Thanks lsversaw, naw its just a stock 350 with an edelbrock 650. John __________________ Big Blue ( John ) 79 Chevy Pick up.....My Dailey STILL Working on a frame up: 1987 Truck body on a 78 Blazer frame. Need cab blasted to start project. Got the cab BLASTED, Now Prep and Paint. Started to lay SOME BONDO and primer. Done, Ordering paint. Got paint, Stuff painted,Cab,Fenders, Hood more later. 9/7/2015 Got the clear coat on,now time to take one off. Started to put things back (What a nightmare) like the heating and AC stuff,inside wire harness, outside AC unit and booster, still more. May 2016, still working on the inside. Got duck work in,heating and AC. Radio (stock) in dash with after market in console later, Speaker are hooked up, Steering column is in. Getting ready to drop the cab onto the frame, Working on engine now since I have the room. Well here it is 2018, got the engine in and it runs, now I need to get the exhaust system in so I can adjust the lifters, to loud right now. Got the exhaust on now I am waiting for the break parts to come in.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.