anyone ever extend the wire on an aftermarket mechanical coolant gauge? the one i have is a probe that threads in, but i need more length out of the wire. i skinned the wire and its a solid single wire.just wondering if i can marret another piece of wire in there or not(electrical dummy). its actually for my sled, but this seems to be the only site i ever get a response on. thanks

 

Well if it's an electrical circuit then why not? Just be sure to use the same gauge of wire & I wouldn't use a marette. I'd use butt connectors & cut the wire in the middle, away from the connections so you don't muck them up & use the waterproof heat shrink tubing over the butt connectors.

 

Well.. here goes putting my opinion in and making a ruckus:

I dont know what a 'marette' or marret is.. assume OP meant 'marry'....
Yes, and like Rotti sez, same ga or heavier.
But I DONT recommend butt connectors ANYWHERE automotive UNLESS you have the proper crimp tool; .. That does not mean that do-it-all one with the yellow handles
And butt connectors do not work at all well with single strand {solid} conductors. And btw.. what auto aftermarket provider would use solid wire?!!!! Dont think I've ever seen that.

They work pretty good for fine stranded wire, like appliance cording, IF properly sized so the stripped part just fits in the barrel.
But, if you must.. then to do a good job you should use the uninsulated crimp section, which will not make for a short because you should cover it anyway.
If you DONT have the proper tool, you are far better off using a wire-nut... filled with silicone grease prior to joining wires.

 

Yeah I re-thought afterwards & soldering it & using waterproof heat shrink tubing over it afterwards would be a better idea. The reasoning is it'll be a cleaner connection, not as clunky is all.
As for a wire nut, here's a marette err a wire nut I mean. This is what you have in mind pettyfog?

 

turns out its not a good idea to cut the wire. apparently the wire doesn't carry current it must work on pressure or murcury or something. warm the sled right up and the gauge doesn't move. that wire nut is what i know as a marette, that's what i used and i guess i just ruined a perfectly good gauge lol.

 

Omg man, that was a cap tube. A capillary tube that does use pressure to move the gauge. It's FUBAR now! pettyfog was right in his curiosity about "a solid wire"?
No offense but when you said (electrical dummy) we should have paid closer attention. That is a copper tube, not a solid wire.

 

Oooops!



I'll never forget first time I ever cut one of those. I was about 7 and dad had an 'old' {ten years back then was old.} International 2 ton out back. I was getting wire for some project or another and cut the temp gauge tube, not knowing anything about that stuff.
I think the bulb was filled with ammonia or something even worse. Gaaack! Thought I was gonna die.

 

lol live and learn i guess.good thing it was just a cheap $20 gauge. ill have to find a longer one. thanks guys.