CCA vs OFC vs Tinned Copper wire?

[jballard81]

I'm planning on building my own 9007 relay harness. I'm handy with just about anything but won't pretend to be an expert in this area. The reason i want to build my own harness is all the stuff that i've found online looks to be junk that won't last very long OR is very expensive.

I keep seeing that CCA is meant for low voltage applications, but how low? Do i need ofc or tinned copper for this harness?

Looks like i can get tinned copper for ~2x the price of CCA and i don't need to cheap out at this point, but i wanted to see if anyone with real experience with these different types of wire would feel like giving their $.02

thanks!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, Bronco Graveyard has the harnesses reasonably. Better price than I can build one for. I have one in my Choptop currently. I had to swap two pins to make it work right in mine but that may not apply to everyone.

CCA wire is Copper Coated Aluminum. Also known as garbage. I bought a couple rolls of CCA zip wire (18 gauge red and black lamp cord looking stuff) and even using dielectric grease the stuff corrodes to garbage in no time around here. Regular copper auto grade wire or THHN is fine, the tinned copper is more for marine applications.

 

[jballard81]

this is why i ask! appreciate it!

i'll check out bronco graveyard first as well lol

 

[bobbywalter]

get real copper gxl wire 14 ga

BLACK 14 Gage GXL Wire -14-GXL-BLACK

www.wirebarn.com

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, GXL is thick insulation, TXL is thin insulation, I would suspect you want 16 awg for that circuit or 14 like Bobby linked is better... the stock wiring is probably 18...

 

[Robert Mangrum]

I will say I use tinned copper every day in my tour bus builds. Its more flexible than standard copper. Hold the same amp ratings as regular copper and resists corrosion. Its more expensive because it is Marine grade. Ive been using it for 20 years. Ive probably installed over a million miles of it in the past 20 year with no issues. I use as small as 20 gauge and as large as 4/0. When we used to use standard copper welding cable for our batteries. We were having to fight green corroded ends. Not been an issue in the last 10 years since we've switched.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

this is why i ask! appreciate it!

i'll check out bronco graveyard first as well lol

1993-2009 Ford Ranger Heavy Duty Headlight Harness-Broncograveyard.com

Upgrade your headlight's wiring harness for maximum light output with a Heavy-Duty head- light harness. If you are adding brighter bulbs or upgrading to high power halogen lights. then you need to improve your wiring to take full advantage of the extra light output.br This Heavy-Duty Harness is...

shop.broncograveyard.com

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Also, for other years that venture upon this…

1983-1988 Ford Ranger and Bronco ll Heavy Duty Headlight Harness-Broncograveyard.com

Upgrade your headlight's wiring harness for maximum light output with a Heavy-Duty head- light harness. If you are adding brighter bulbs or upgrading to high power halogen lights. then you need to improve your wiring to take full advantage of the extra light output.br This Heavy-Duty Harness is...

shop.broncograveyard.com

1989-1992 Ford Ranger and Bronco ll Heavy Duty Headlight Harness-Broncograveyard.com

Upgrade your headlight's wiring harness for maximum light output with a Heavy-Duty head- light harness. If you are adding brighter bulbs or upgrading to high power halogen lights. then you need to improve your wiring to take full advantage of the extra light output.br This Heavy-Duty Harness is...

shop.broncograveyard.com