Squaretop wiring question

[96C]

I decided to start rewiring my machine due to the wires being brittle and crumbling (especially around the condensor and evaporator).  I ordered a pre-made wiring harness and am waiting patiently for the mailman to come.

In the meantime, I decided to re-wire the door, light-up sign, bottle-door solenoids, etc.  The problem that I have run into is I know next to nothing about electrical and wonder if there is a big difference in the gauge of said wires.  I think they are 14 or 16 gauge?  I went to Lowes today and found that they only carry 12 gauge, strand (vs. solid) wires in the colors that I needed.

Can I use 12 gauge wire?  If I remember correctly, I should not go smaller in gauge than original, and voltage only drops appreciably for long lengths of wire if you increase the gauge size?  Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

[dr galaga]

Yea, it would be fine to increase the gauge.  The only problem I would see is that the wire will be a little bit bigger in diameter, but that should be fine.  (And it's good that you got the stranded kind.)