home depot wire fine for use in car door?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=121973
Printed Date: July 13, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Topic: home depot wire fine for use in car door?
Posted By: ppastos
Subject: home depot wire fine for use in car door?
Date Posted: May 23, 2010 at 10:38 PM
I don't know if this has been asked before and if it has I am sorry. I am looking to make a wiring harness for a alarm, Long story. I went to Home Depot and got some MTW/THHN/THWN wire to use. Now I am a bit scared because I think I may have bought the wrong wire for the application.
I am worried about the wire failing because of it has to flex with the door opening and closing. Is this wire suited for that task?
Its 14 AWG wire and seems very good but I want some reassurance.
Thanks you for looking!!!
Replies:
Posted By: anonymous1
Date Posted: May 23, 2010 at 11:33 PM
ppastos wrote:
I am looking to make a wiring harness for a alarm, Long story.
If this is just for contacts, and not carrying any current, then any small guage wire will do. Wire that has many smaller strands works better for flexible applications than a single conductor wire does. Doorbell wire will work. How many conductors do you need for each door? What exactly is the harness for? (short story)
------------- I know just enough to be dangerous. VERY dangerous.
Posted By: ppastos
Date Posted: May 23, 2010 at 11:41 PM
I am looking to make a wiring harness for a OEM 1992-1997 J30 keyless entry control unit made by Alpine to use for 1992-1993 Infiniti Q45's.
I am using stranded wire as well.
The most this wire will see is 10 AMP, thats the the fuse is rated at. And the 14 AWG wire can handle 15 AMP rights?
But like I said the only moment the wire will see is the door opening and closing. Other than that the rest will be under the carpet and routed OEM like.
Do you think the wire from Home Depot is inefficient for such a task? I want this wire to last some time thats why. I also have to run two wires in the drivers side door, One for a unlock sensor and the other for the door lock actuator.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: May 24, 2010 at 1:05 AM
You say you are using stranded wire as well. is the Home Depot wire stranded?
Posted By: ppastos
Date Posted: May 24, 2010 at 2:00 AM
All the wire in the harness is stranded.
Posted By: anonymous1
Date Posted: May 24, 2010 at 9:25 AM
From the description and functionality I think it should work just fine. You can compare the wire that is already used for this purpose in the OEM harness and if it is equally similar it should work. Are you following a schematic? Do you need diodes?
------------- I know just enough to be dangerous. VERY dangerous.
Posted By: howie ll
Date Posted: May 26, 2010 at 2:51 AM
If it isn't stranded wire, don't use it period. It will break, otherwise stranded 14 gauge is fine. Did I spell break correctly?
Posted By: tommy...
Date Posted: May 26, 2010 at 9:28 AM
howie ll wrote:
If it isn't stranded wire, don't use it period. It will break, otherwise stranded 14 gauge is fine. Did I spell break correctly?
Sure did...! ------------- M.E.C.P & First-Class
Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!
Posted By: ppastos
Date Posted: May 26, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Thanks all for the help!!!
Just to be sure, Best Buy and other car stereo/alarm installers use this wire on the door right?
Posted By: anonymous1
Date Posted: May 27, 2010 at 12:54 AM
Son, if it's good enough for all auto manufacturers . . . it's good enough for Best Buy!
Now just git r done. ------------- I know just enough to be dangerous. VERY dangerous.
Posted By: catback
Date Posted: May 27, 2010 at 6:50 PM
For a 10 amp 12v circuit, especially used in flex conditions I'd use a 16 or 18 ga automotive wire.
Wire from home depot is generally for home use and the amp rating is for 120v AC. At 12v 14 ga is good for way more than 15 amps. Also the 14 ga from home depot is pretty stiff for a constantly flexing run unless it's speaker wire or similar.
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