Wire Gauge for Exterior Turning LED signal

[nunucello]

I would like to add exterior LED strip/light to my XLT Maverick badges and plan on using Posi-Tap. The ones I have say 10-22 AWG. I've attached a pic of the wires going to the front Maverick lights. One wire gauge looks thinner than the other. Black is thick and the yellow is thinner.

I've seen an adaptor kit for sale - but it is very expensive:
https://customautoworksstore.com/product/2022-24-ford-maverick-side-marker-plug/#google_vignette

Ali Express has components here - but who knows how that would work:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803578608722.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.873cKl9YKl9YTK&algo_pvid=6629cf23-c605-4ad9-80dd-3a137cccbd0e&algo_exp_id=6629cf23-c605-4ad9-80dd-3a137cccbd0e-0&pdp_ext_f={"order":"35","eval":"1"}&pdp_npi=4@dis!USD!2.45!1.47!!!2.45!1.47!@!12000038508810516!sea!US!0!ABX&curPageLogUid=gJo8aC9VTHzk&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

Maybe folks would recommend these taps instead ?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CP987BN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

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[Aleks]

If it were me, I would solder/heatshrink/wrap in cloth harness tape both the +/- the same thickness as the yellow, shouldn't need anything heavier gauge for LED.

The few times I've used t-taps I've hated them, but I've never tried the positaps you have pictured.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Buy the CAW adapter kit. $50 for both isn't expensive, if you tried to make them yourself.

No way I'd try to tap a 22awg wire with a displacement connector.

HRG

 

[CNJFF]

I wouldn't trust those taps on small wires (or anything on a vehicle for that matter but that's me).

Simple/cheap method:

1. Remove some of the tape to give yourself room
2. Cut the wire
3. Use a sealed butt connector on one end (various alternatives)
4. Twist together a tap wire with the other end and put both into the opposite end of the connector
5. Crimp/heat done. Nice inline tap wire.

If you learn to de-pin connectors it opens up a whole world of opportunity to go direct into the connector. Looks pro!

 

[nunucello]

I wouldn't trust those taps on small wires (or anything on a vehicle for that matter but that's me).

Simple/cheap method:

1. Remove some of the tape to give yourself room
2. Cut the wire
3. Use a sealed butt connector on one end (various alternatives)
4. Twist together a tap wire with the other end and put both into the opposite end of the connector
5. Crimp/heat done. Nice inline tap wire.

If you learn to de-pin connectors it opens up a whole world of opportunity to go direct into the connector. Looks pro!

That is great info - thank you. I have no experience de-pinning connectors

 

[nunucello]

Thank you for all the responses. On second thought it may be better to go with the $50 plug and play kit.

Since the LED i have only has two wires - my guess is to leave the extra wire on kit alone.

 

[Aleks]

Thank you for all the responses. On second thought it may be better to go with the $50 plug and play kit.

Since the LED i have only has two wires - my guess is to leave the extra wire on kit alone.

One of them will be ground, one will be the turn signal, and one will be the parking lamp (DRL)

Look at the schematic of the connector that CNJFF posted for which is which.

If your new LED youre trying to add only has 2 wires, your choice whether you want it to act as a blinker, or be constantly on with your factory DRL's, but you cant have both, you gotta pick either/or with just 2 wires.

 

[nunucello]

One of them will be ground, one will be the turn signal, and one will be the parking lamp (DRL)

Look at the schematic of the connector that CNJFF posted for which is which.

If your new LED youre trying to add only has 2 wires, your choice whether you want it to act as a blinker, or be constantly on with your factory DRL's, but you cant have both, you gotta pick either/or with just 2 wires.

I want it to act as a blinker. i'll leave the parking lamp wire alone and not connect to anything.

 

[Aleks]

I want it to act as a blinker. i'll leave the parking lamp wire alone and not connect to anything.

Should be easy enough, looks like you want the outermost ones, leaving the middle one alone, just remove the pin, or bundle the middle wire, wrap it in electrical tape, and zip tie it out of the way so theres no chance of it touching any kind of metal.

Black to black, red to your chosen red... dont get them flipped around since your new led most likely does not have reverse polarity protection.

 

[nunucello]

Should be easy enough, looks like you want the outermost ones, leaving the middle one alone, just remove the pin, or bundle the middle wire, wrap it in electrical tape, and zip tie it out of the way so theres no chance of it touching any kind of metal.

Black to black, red to your chosen red... dont get them flipped around since your new led most likely does not have reverse polarity protection.

Thank You

 

[umpkey]

I would like to add exterior LED strip/light to my XLT Maverick badges and plan on using Posi-Tap. The ones I have say 10-22 AWG. I've attached a pic of the wires going to the front Maverick lights. One wire gauge looks thinner than the other. Black is thick and the yellow is thinner.

I've seen an adaptor kit for sale - but it is very expensive:
https://customautoworksstore.com/product/2022-24-ford-maverick-side-marker-plug/#google_vignette

Ali Express has components here - but who knows how that would work:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803578608722.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.873cKl9YKl9YTK&algo_pvid=6629cf23-c605-4ad9-80dd-3a137cccbd0e&algo_exp_id=6629cf23-c605-4ad9-80dd-3a137cccbd0e-0&pdp_ext_f={"order":"35","eval":"1"}&pdp_npi=4@dis!USD!2.45!1.47!!!2.45!1.47!@!12000038508810516!sea!US!0!ABX&curPageLogUid=gJo8aC9VTHzk&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

Maybe folks would recommend these taps instead ?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CP987BN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Hello,

Ref this you posted
Maybe folks would recommend these taps instead ?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CP987BN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Those are the exact taps I used when I wired up my side fender lights and had to tap into the head lights and the turn signals. I used the blue ones and they worked fine and have been in place since August/september of last year and have been working fine.
Hope this helps.

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