What size wire?

JuniorJ

Frequent Racer
I am installing a push button start on a project. What gauge wire is best to use?

Thanks.
 

Ed Cannon

Pro Stocker
Jul 17, 2009
1,682
0
0
Johnson City Tn
depends. if your using the push button to carry all the load use an 8 gauge wire. If your using a relay (thats the best way) the control wires are much smaller and the load wires should still be at least 10 gauge.
 

LS6 Tommy

MalibuRacing Junkie
May 15, 2004
15,847
1
38
North Jersey
Just to be clear, you CANNOT put the type of current a starter draws through a push button switch, no matter what gauge wire you use. You MUST use the button to energize a relay. GM uses a solenoid on the starter motor energized by the key switch. If all you're doing is replacing the key switch with a button switch, G bodies used 12 gauge wire. It's circuit #6 & the wire is purple...

Tommy
 

JuniorJ

Frequent Racer
Thread starter
LS6 Tommy said:
Just to be clear, you CANNOT put the type of current a starter draws through a push button switch, no matter what gauge wire you use. You MUST use the button to energize a relay. GM uses a solenoid on the starter motor energized by the key switch. If all you're doing is replacing the key switch with a button switch, G bodies used 12 gauge wire. It's circuit #6 & the wire is purple...

Tommy



Here is what is going on, I bought a 93 S10 blazer with a sbc, the colum is broken where the plunger rod attaches. You can turn the key on and jump/arc the starter an it will run till you turn the key off, so I just want to be able to turn the key on and push the button.
 

LS6 Tommy

MalibuRacing Junkie
May 15, 2004
15,847
1
38
North Jersey
JuniorJ said:
LS6 Tommy said:
Just to be clear, you CANNOT put the type of current a starter draws through a push button switch, no matter what gauge wire you use. You MUST use the button to energize a relay. GM uses a solenoid on the starter motor energized by the key switch. If all you're doing is replacing the key switch with a button switch, G bodies used 12 gauge wire. It's circuit #6 & the wire is purple...

Tommy



Here is what is going on, I bought a 93 S10 blazer with a sbc, the colum is broken where the plunger rod attaches. You can turn the key on and jump/arc the starter an it will run till you turn the key off, so I just want to be able to turn the key on and push the button.

That's pretty much what I was picturing. We're thinking on the same page...

Tommy
 

JuniorJ

Frequent Racer
Thread starter
LS6 Tommy said:
JuniorJ said:
LS6 Tommy said:
Just to be clear, you CANNOT put the type of current a starter draws through a push button switch, no matter what gauge wire you use. You MUST use the button to energize a relay. GM uses a solenoid on the starter motor energized by the key switch. If all you're doing is replacing the key switch with a button switch, G bodies used 12 gauge wire. It's circuit #6 & the wire is purple...

Tommy



Here is what is going on, I bought a 93 S10 blazer with a sbc, the colum is broken where the plunger rod attaches. You can turn the key on and jump/arc the starter an it will run till you turn the key off, so I just want to be able to turn the key on and push the button.

That's pretty much what I was picturing. We're thinking on the same page...

Tommy


Thanks for the info.
 

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