[Mobile-Portable] What Gauge Wire?

[N4PGW (Buck)]

Using the calculator at: http://nooutage.com/vdrop.htm, I calculate a good
cable would be #8 with just under 1/2 volt drop.

I am assuming you are running about 20 amps with the HF rig, 15 for the VHF
rig and other accessories mentioned.  That gives an estimated current draw
of about 35 amps.  At 12 volts, #8 wire for 8 feet will be about .432 volts
dropped.

On the other hand, #6 wire will give you a drop of about .276 volts.  

On the other side of the equation is # 10 wire with a voltage drop of about
.7 volts.  Since #10 is rated at 30 amps, I suspect you will want at least a
#8 or larger wire.

I hope this helps.  

Buck
N4PGW
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mobile-portable-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:mobile-portable-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of kd4e
> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 7:00 PM
> To: Mobile-Portable Reflector
> Subject: [Mobile-Portable] What Gauge Wire?
> 
> I am going to run a dedicated pair of wires from my van
> battery to a custom accessory panel in the passenger
> compartment.
> 
> This cable would feed two 35 Amp Powerpole panel
> connectors.  The length of the cable would be about
> 8 feet, including some twists and turns.
> 
> The Powerpole connectors may feed a 100W HF rig,
> a 45W VHF/UHF rig, a laptop computer, and various
> other accessories and devices through a fused 12VDC
> power distribution strip.
> 
> What gauge wire should I use to eliminate loss, please?
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E
> Personal: http://bibleseven.com/kd4e.html
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, 
> mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net
>