Wiring for Motorcycles

[Nanuq]

I'm trying to wire an electrical/cigarrete lighter style outlet for electrical accessories. I wanted to inquire from you folks who completed work like this on your bikes:

Which brand and gauge of wire do you recommend for outfitting a utility plug?

What quality online resources do you recommend for purchasing or further researching wiring products?


Thank you,


Nanuq

[Unstable Rider]

Here is a quick and easy alternative brother.

Plug and play, just connect to your battery terminals, run the wires, zip tie it secure, done. I have a rig like this going forward up near my fork, and another that pops up in my tailbag for charging the iphone.

1)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041CDPQO/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/175-4915420-3997215?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=068FKSQM6HWW41EWDBH8&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=B00206GGB4


2)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NCOKZQ/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00206GGB4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0VF83BXND0NVHM367CAK

[pulco]

I used 16 gauge standard automotive copper wire to hook up a weatherproof receptacle from Marinco:
http://www.marinco.com/files/support/products/specsheets/12VRC.pdf

I ran the circuit off a fuse panel from http://www.easternbeaver.com. with a 15 amp fuse.


Also found a lot of information here:
http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,1461.0.html
Even though points 1 through 6 are vstrom specific, after that is information anyone may find helpful.

And for connections, these are excellent: http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html

[duck]

As far as gauge goes it depends upon how much current/wattage you plan to run through it and the length. Example:



Having too large a gauge is better than too small a gauge. Then again, you don't want to string 10 AWG wire to charge an Iphone.

I'm sure someone will skewer me for this but IMO most wire is pretty generic and electrons don't know/care what brand your wires are but the insulation can matter. (There are special application wires like spark plug leads where I do think brand/quality matters.) The most important thing for vehicle wiring is to make sure you're using stranded, not solid, wire.

I like Posi-Lock products too although officianados here will tell you that properly crimped butt connectors are better.