Wire Identification Methods

DesertGuy · Post by **DesertGuy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:54 pm

I am looking at making various sub-harnesses ( Gauge, Toggle/Relay, etc...) that will tie into a main harness during the wiring of my car. I have looked into various wire and have decided on the Cross-Link SLX wire for my harnesses. Athough many use multi-colored wire, I will opt for a single color that is identified. What methods do people use that go this route? I have seen numbering labels, both stick on and clip on. I am thinking of a waterproof label that I can use a Sharpie marker on. However, I have not seen any waterproof labels that can be wrapped around the wire. I have looked at Del-City and Waytech to name a couple, any ideas? Also, does anyone have pics of these methods, Thanks.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:11 pm

A thermal transfer printed label onto Kimdura stock..

DesertGuy · Post by **DesertGuy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:32 pm

MNAirHead wrote:A thermal transfer printed label onto Kimdura stock..

... Is this something within a do-it-yourselfer's budget?

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:45 am

PM Sent

Post by **2088 bob** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:18 am

let me snap some pics of the 3 different methods i use tonight

Post by **2088 bob** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:30 pm

DG these are 3 methods i use unfortunately two of them are not that cheap to get into

Post by **david58** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:39 pm

DesertGuy wrote:I am looking at making various sub-harnesses ( Gauge, Toggle/Relay, etc...) that will tie into a main harness during the wiring of my car. I have looked into various wire and have decided on the Cross-Link SLX wire for my harnesses. Athough many use multi-colored wire, I will opt for a single color that is identified. What methods do people use that go this route? I have seen numbering labels, both stick on and clip on. I am thinking of a waterproof label that I can use a Sharpie marker on. However, I have not seen any waterproof labels that can be wrapped around the wire. I have looked at Del-City and Waytech to name a couple, any ideas? Also, does anyone have pics of these methods, Thanks.

I worked at a PCV pipe plant about 20 years ago. We ran solid one color black wire thru 3 inch PCV pipe and ohmed out each wire one at a time and hooked them up nothing was marked and we didn't have any wiring problems. I am not saying they don't need to be marked. There were close to 100 wires 80 feet long or so. I think if you wanted to mark them color coded heat shrink would be way cool. You could mix the order of different colors for different circuits.

DesertGuy · Post by **DesertGuy** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:02 pm

David, you are probably 100% correct that most people can figure out what is what with one color... However, "I know me" and some form of identification is needed

Thanks for the pics Bob, but those are pricey alternatives... I think I would be better off (financially) in buying 12-14 different colors of wire than investing into a Brady labeler. That being said, I think that the single color with markers just looks cool.

I tried different forms of labeling, first I tried my trusty Brother P-Touch label machine. Surprisingly, it did a good job. I labeled the wire then hit it with carb cleaner and different solvents. The result was the label legend stayed intact without smudge, but it disolved the adhesive and soon came off... no good.

Next I tried the Brady "write-on" markers in the book. These were not too bad, however, it seemed next to impossible to keep "fingerprint" marks from showing on the clear section. Also, keeping the entire label lined up is difficult. In the end, these are possible, but does not provide a professional appearance.

Next I was thinking about colored marker tape and simply marking the ends of different circuits. Has anyone had any luck with those?

If all else fails, I may need to resort to the multi-colored wired circuits.

Post by **david58** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:23 pm

http://cableorganizer.com/heat-shrink/heat-shrink2.htm
Check the prices.

DesertGuy · Post by **DesertGuy** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:34 pm

Hmmm, just bought 2 feet of every color. We'll see how this fairs, thanks for the link.

Post by **david58** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:42 pm

DesertGuy wrote:Hmmm, just bought 2 feet of every color. We'll see how this fairs, thanks for the link.

No problem I think tape would work, but heat shrink would be better.

DesertGuy · Post by **DesertGuy** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:22 pm

Yeah, tape would probably work... but at .66 cents a foot, the heatshrink is worth the try. Hopefully, it turns out as well as I am hoping.

Post by **2088 bob** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:31 am

DG i have been doing some research this morning trying to find a source for the partex wire marking system it may be a semi reasonable priced marking alternative for you

i only use my brady id pro label maker for premarking a harness

when we build a harness in the shop here we leave each termination area about 18" longer than need be this allows for a little adjustment after harness has been placed and secured then we finish with the partex system

i have been doing this for a very long time you know this and in that time we have found the partex system to be the best for our needs it the most robust most easily identifiable system we have found

just saw an ad on ebay guy bought a package deal of 0 to 9 in red and blue and A,B,C,D in red and blue each roll has 1000 numbers on it for 25 bucks that was like $600 worth of stuff guy stole it

Post by **2088 bob** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:39 am

there are a couple of smoking good deals on brady id pro printers on ebay as we speak

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:16 am

Desert..

I run about 100,000 labels per month at work.. I'm speaking with my supplier ofr the ultimate setup.

Tim

ShopTalk Forums | Aircooled VW Tech & Restoration Help

Wire Identification Methods

Wire Identification Methods

Re: Wire Identification Methods