Does anyone know the gauge size of the ground wire for the UTEC? I'm having to make my own after buying it used and the previous owner not including it, I've already made my own 9v battery power adapter.

Also, I only have 2 of the kickplate standoffs; is that acceptable or do I have to make some sort of spacer for the 3rd one as well?

I searched but there was nothing this specific, I appreciate any help. And the quicker the better, I'm trying to get it installed today. Thanks.

14 awg-ish. Maybe 16. It isn't a large wire. I Also added an 8 awg ground from the cage (the bottom part of the shield you're bolting the stand-off to) to the body of the car for good measure. It might have helped smooth the idle a bit... or I might have imagined that.

A spacer would be easy to make with a short piece of tube and a longer 10mm bolt. Use it on the, easy to reach, lower right corner as it'll be a little hard to hold in place while you thread the bolt through. Stuff that can be found at Lowes/Home Depot kind of places.

Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'm a little amazed actually, haha.

Actually, my UTEC came with a 18gauge ground wire - which is too small in my opinion. Swapped out to 12 gauge.

Actually, my UTEC came with a 18gauge ground wire - which is too small in my opinion. Swapped out to 12 gauge.

what kind of current do you envision the chassis of the utec having to pass to ground?

what kind of current do you envision the chassis of the utec having to pass to ground?


I don't know if your being sarcastic or serious, but I suppose one strand of copper would actually ground it. I chose 12awg.

I don't know if your being sarcastic or serious, but I suppose one strand of copper would actually ground it. I chose 12awg.

... so you're guessing about 20a of current.

I highly doubt much more than 6 amps even using the spare solenoid output. And the wire is pretty short. I'm sure 18 would be fine, but it can't hurt to go alittle bigger. The included wire looks like 18 ga, but I'm not yanking it to check. Buy some wire, double it up if needed so you're at least bigger than 18ga, call it a day.

I would recommend doing something to make a standoff, or your passenger might smash the kickplate into your UTEC, bad things happen, etc, then you'd be a sad panda. You might be able to use a long machine screw (~2") that mates with the hole thread, a nut, and a lock washer. Put a nut, then lock washer, thread the nut down the bolt about 1/2", lock it into the screw hole so the bolt is sticking up the same height as the standoff. TXS can probably sell you replacement parts as well, which would be preferred.

lol, i never even connected mine because i couldnt get a screwdriver small enough to fit in that hole.