Wire gauge needed for trailer brake connection from 4 wires to controller

[raytwntrvlr]

Seeing there's different wire sizes I'm wondering if I can just use one that works for all four and what that would be.
TIA

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[Jedadiah]

The instructions for my Redarc show the black and blue as 3.0mm², which is roughly 12g, and the white and red as 1.25mm², which is roughly 16g. I'm not sure if upsizing the 16g would be a problem, but I bet there's an electrical guru on here who does know.

 

[Grumpaw]

Seeing there's different wire sizes I'm wondering if I can just use one that works for all four and what that would be.
TIA

You should always use the proper sized wire called for to allow proper current to flow. You don't want to use a 16 gauge spliced to a 12 gauge and vice versa. Basically you don't want to "mix" wire gauges.
Also, if using a standard brake controller you'll notice that the 4 wires are different gauges, and their proper hookup to the associated wire will also be of the same (or very near) gauge.
On my Tenkonsha 2 wires were 12 gauge and 2 wires were 16 gauge, and matched the 4 wires under the Rangers dash.

 

[Marpater]

Short answer if you use larger diameter wire no ill effect will come of it, using smaller diameter wire will add resistance/voltage drop resulting in heat resulting in possible fire.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

Thank you, guys. Matched the gauges and got those factory pigtails extended. Waiting on delivery of brake control to finish the job. I'm glad I did not hand this off to someone else. Soldered the connections with a double layer of heat shrink.

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