Wire Guagefor DC Mains?

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Wire Guagefor DC Mains?

Postby Dee Bee » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:15 pm

Ok I know that each circuit should be wired to match or exceed the max. amps on that circuit. Also that the main wires connnecting to the battery should be able to carry the load if every circuit is turned on....

But can you tell me what gague wire you are using for your battery cables or main line and load wires AND what loads in amps you expect to cary on this?

Thanks ahead of time for the reply...

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Postby mikeschn » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:20 pm

Big honkin house wires... at least 6 gage...

Okay, so I got carried away... On my teardrops I use some fairly heavy stuff I find at the auto parts store... I think its 8 or 10 gage... the rest of the teardrop uses 14 gage sound and security wire...

But I'll tell you... I temporarily used some really thin stuff from the power supply to the fuse block in one of my teardrops... and I did not even melt the insulation off of it... but I wouldn't recommend that... ask Alan to tell you about his story sometime...

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Postby Geron » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:24 pm

I used 10 gauge. Only about 8 foot span from battery to fuse block. 8 gauge is not overkill at all.

JMHO.

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Postby Larwyn » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:40 pm

Geron wrote:I used 10 gauge. Only about 8 foot span from battery to fuse block. 8 gauge is not overkill at all.

JMHO.

Geron


I'll be using 6 guage, but only because I already have it on hand. I'm sure 10 guage woudl handle all the loand most are likely to put on the dc, with the possiable exception of those using large inverters and multiple battries.
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Postby McTeardrops » Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:42 pm

What kind of connectors do you use for the heavier guage wires?
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Postby asianflava » Sun May 01, 2005 1:59 am

I'm using 8ga because the fuse holder I'm using for my main fuse has adapters for 8ga
Image
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=070-660

These are the fittings that I'm using, they have a compression nut so you don't have to crimp or solder them.
Image
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-124
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Great Pic

Postby Dee Bee » Sun May 01, 2005 6:41 am

asianflava wrote:I'm using 8ga because the fuse holder I'm using for my main fuse has adapters for 8ga
Image
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=070-660

These are the fittings that I'm using, they have a compression nut so you don't have to crimp or solder them.
Image
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-124


Great Pics

Thanks

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Postby Arne » Sun May 01, 2005 7:04 am

I used 12/3 house wire, which I don't recommend. I had no idea how much current some things draw. Mine is fine for what I'm doing, but anything more than a couple hundred watts would need heavier wire......

I don't plan on microwaving or toaster, but I'm still impressed when using 12v how heavy the wire has to be......
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