I mounted my datel voltmeter and (2) heat-trollers in the "A" panel. I just ran the bike to operating temp and all my wires and relay are quite hot from the radiator hose and stuff under the panel. Wires were hot to the touch and felt very soft, but no evidence of any melting. There's also a couple of factory harness near. What's the best way to insulate these wires, keeping in mind there's not a lot of room under there. Or is it OK as it is?
This may be of small consequence, but I used to work in a factory that produces automotive wire. We made 2 kinds of wire, PVC and CV. The PVC was extruded at a temperature of 350 degrees. That stuff isn't very heat resistant because it'll start becoming ply-able long before that temperature. Tat wire went to your radio and to your power windows. Not very hear resistant. We made some wire for appliances with a similar formula and it had the 105 C marking on it. That seems pretty warm, but anytime you put a drop of water on something and it sizzles, you are pretty sure it's over 105 C.
We also made wire with a CV (Constant Vulcanizing) process. That was a rubber coated wire that was used in engine compartments, now that crap was tough! one of the QC checks included a heat test that was a ... (from memory, been a long time) ...Something like a 400 degree F 5 pound weight with an edge on it, pressing down on the wire for 30 seconds, or something..... It was a whole lot tougher than the PVC wire. As you can imagine, the PVC failed almost instantly.
If you can buy the more rubberized wire, you might not have to worry as much about a bad situation because the wire isn't in a factory engineered wire harness.
