What ga. wire should a generator have coming from it to the batt.?

Question

I put a basket case together and I use a batt. tender.

I have a new starter and I'm starting to get suspicious of the power it puts out.

When I rewired I took a guess at 14ga. as being enough.

Now that I look at the diameter of the wire going to the solenoid, I'm starting to wonder if it was the logical thing to do.

I'm thinking of running 10 ga. from the generator to the batt.

also, I'm running two 20 amp fuses. One on that wire and one going to the solenoid. What do you think?

it has a weak crank when I'm away from the garage. My batt. tender is helping, but I suspect a charging problem.

correction, one fuse is to the key, then to the solenoid.

thanks for the answer.

ground and capability of the starter are good. The size of the batt. and charge are good. Just seems like a weaker batt. when I leave the place I'm going. I thought I may have a wire back to the batt. that is too small. thanks

reason I added the solenoid bit was to let you know that I have a 10 ga. there

seems like 10 ga. should be on the other end too.

I guess I just want someone to tell me the 14 ga. is the reason for my issues.

Answer 1

My bikes have alternators and the wires from the stator to the regulator and regulator to the battery are 10ga.

Answer 2

If you have an ammeter capable of measuring up to 200 amps remove the fuse that goes to the solenoid and install the leads into each corresponding terminal. Disconnect the coil wire and crank the engine. Observe the reading on the meter. Your starter should have come with specs that will tell you acceptable load readings. 10 gauge wire is best. If the battery ground is good and you still experience this problem, you made need a higher torque starter ...if the battery is known to be good and of the right size capable of supplying the correct cranking amperage

Answer 3

get an accurate volt meter if you don't have one. with bike running and head lights on check the voltage at the battery terminals. if you have less than 13.5 volts the battery may be slow to charge. the 14 guage wire may have too much voltage drop. i think the starter wire may need to be bigger than no 10 also. 6 or 8 may be more appropriate.

Answer 4

It would help if I knew what vehical your rebuilding. For a sportster motorcycle use at least a 10 gauge wire for the generator and a 4 gauge on the starter.

Answer 5

Ten is common, never saw anything smaller.
14 is two sizes down from that. You will have less current carrying ability and more resistance.