Wiring for 12 volt accessory plug

[mrmike]

  I have a '21 X-Town 300. It has a factory accessory plug in the glovebox, but it is only hot when the ignition is turned on. I'm installing another 12 volt accessory plug, and wiring it direct to the battery. It is primarily for utilizing my battery tender in the winter. I have 2 quick questions about this install. 1. All my wiring is 16 gage except the in-line fuse holder which is 12 gage. Will the 16 and 12 gages be compatible for this application? 2. What amp fuse do you recommend for the in-line fuse?

[rjs987]

No problem combining 12 and 16 gage wires. Just make sure you size your fuse for the smaller wire.

With 16 ga wire I would ensure the round trip distance from battery positive terminal, out to the end device you plug in, and back to the battery negative terminal is under 10 ft then you can use a 15-20 amp fuse. That would be 5 ft wire length from the battery to the end device (Battery Tender or heated gear or whatever) one way from the battery. If the distance is longer than that, say 15-20 ft, I would only put a 12 amp fuse in the fuse holder.

I use the attached wire gage/length chart for motorcycle wiring.

I've worked with building wiring and this chart is different than the IRC/IBC electrical codes for building wiring for a reason. Building wiring is enclosed in walls and vehicle wiring is exposed to air so is cooled a lot better. I also have worked in computer, data center, and vehicle wiring systems. This last bit is for electricians who insist on the NEC for even vehicle wiring which is way more strict than needed for vehicles.


Oh, BTW, I know that the Battery Tender doesn't need that heavy of wire nor that big of a fuse. The pigtail that comes with the BT product use 18 gage wire and have a 7.5 amp fuse. I replaced my BT connection cable with a 16 gage version so I could use it to power my Slime mini air compressor which needs 15 amps.

[CROSSBOLT]

What rjs said and the chart he brought.

I rigged my outlet and dual car horns direct with #12 wire and a 20 amp fuse. Also rigged a coaxial power receptacle for battery charge/tender access on same line. The fat wire and fuse for an electric tire pump if one would ever show up!

[Tromper]

Ya got a link for an SAE plug like that with 16 vs 18 gauge?

Oh, BTW, I know that the Battery Tender doesn't need that heavy of wire nor that big of a fuse. The pigtail that comes with the BT product use 18 gage wire and have a 7.5 amp fuse. I replaced my BT connection cable with a 16 gage version so I could use it to power my Slime mini air compressor which needs 15 amps.

[rjs987]

Ya got a link for an SAE plug like that with 16 vs 18 gauge?

Sure, here it is...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LMV61RQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1


Now it's a 2 pack. When I bought it I got a single pack. This is the one that now comes up when I click on what I bought in Amazon. Amazon also has longer cords but I didn't need or want more than this length.  15 amp, 16 ga wire. And I really like that the hot wire is red instead of both sides/wires being black. Not that it matters since the plug is polarized.


Also look at this adapter for those temporary times when a 12 v socket is wanted but you don't want it permanently installed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G855J4R/?coliid=IM4UT52VNCJQ8&colid=18TV0X8O5SQLR&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
This is also 16 ga and comes with 15 amp and 20 amp fuses.

[mrmike]

  I have a '21 X-Town 300. It has a factory accessory plug in the glovebox, but it is only hot when the ignition is turned on. I'm installing another 12 volt accessory plug, and wiring it direct to the battery. It is primarily for utilizing my battery tender in the winter. I have 2 quick questions about this install. 1. All my wiring is 16 gage except the in-line fuse holder which is 12 gage. Will the 16 and 12 gages be compatible for this application? 2. What amp fuse do you recommend for the in-line fuse?

  Thanks for the input guys. I got it all installed with soldered connections covered with shrink tubing. Also installed my Shad top box. Probably let her sit for a month or so until I figure out what LED headlights to install. I'm on blood thinners for my heart and don't ride in the cold weather. Scooter is covered, and sitting in a heated garage. Hope to be back on the road in April.

[Stig / Major Tom]

  Thanks for the input guys. I got it all installed with soldered connections covered with shrink tubing. Also installed my Shad top box. Probably let her sit for a month or so until I figure out what LED headlights to install. I'm on blood thinners for my heart and don't ride in the cold weather. Scooter is covered, and sitting in a heated garage. Hope to be back on the road in April.

Hello, Noted your comment about being on blood thinners....and riding in the cold.
Was wondering about that - is there a connection?

I've been on blood thinners for a decade - and ride yr around - and often in the cold. I learned to layer up and bought myself some 7V battery heated gloves.

Stig

[rjs987]

  Thanks for the input guys. I got it all installed with soldered connections covered with shrink tubing. Also installed my Shad top box. Probably let her sit for a month or so until I figure out what LED headlights to install. I'm on blood thinners for my heart and don't ride in the cold weather. Scooter is covered, and sitting in a heated garage. Hope to be back on the road in April.

Hello, Noted your comment about being on blood thinners....and riding in the cold.Was wondering about that - is there a connection?I've been on blood thinners for a decade - and ride yr around - and often in the cold. I learned to layer up and bought myself some 7V battery heated gloves.Stig

I looked up about that after reading it. Seems the ONLY issue of concern for riding in the cold while on blood thinners is the possibility of having an accident where you might bleed. With blood thinners the recovery is a lot slower per data for auto accidents and falls in all seasons, but riding a motorcycle/scooter in the cold season brings a slightly higher risk of having an accident if the rider does not take extra precautions and extra care about when they ride in such conditions. It's NOT the cold air having an effect on you if you take blood thinners, but it is what might possibly maybe happen if you have an accident while being on blood thinners. You would bleed more, loosing more blood, and clotting is inhibited (of course) so open wounds take longer to heal. I take that as a caution for riding in any weather at any temperature while on blood thinners. Riding in cold weather is just a slightly higher risk by itself and has nothing to do with the blood thinner thing other than that.

[mrmike]

  I thought it was because of blood thinners. Maybe it's just old age (77), but I can't tolerate the colder weather like I used to. No fun for me to ride if I'm cold, so I'm a fair weather (40 or above) rider.

[airshot]

Not a fan of cold weather riding myself at 72....in regards to your LED bulb inquiry.  I have a Kymco SxS , the 450i model and wanted brighter led bulbs as well.  Seems my bulbs in the headlamps are " motorcycle" bulbs.  I just cross referenced led replacements for the number on my bulb and boughtvthe so called best seller led that Amazon had. Once installed they are GREAT... Very bright, nice silver blue very easy to see with!!!  Two bulbs shipped were 44 bucks, no cooling fans needed, DOT rated so ok for highway use. Just a suggestion,.........happy holidays

[mrmike]

Not a fan of cold weather riding myself at 72....in regards to your LED bulb inquiry.  I have a Kymco SxS , the 450i model and wanted brighter led bulbs as well.  Seems my bulbs in the headlamps are " motorcycle" bulbs.  I just cross referenced led replacements for the number on my bulb and boughtvthe so called best seller led that Amazon had. Once installed they are GREAT... Very bright, nice silver blue very easy to see with!!!  Two bulbs shipped were 44 bucks, no cooling fans needed, DOT rated so ok for highway use. Just a suggestion,.........happy holidays

    Thanks for that info. There are so many options for bulbs out there. I'm afraid getting the plastics apart to get to the lights will be a bigger problem. I also want to install LED running lights in the European turn signal spots.  I got all winter to play with it, so I'll start after the Holidays.