[Mobile-Portable] What Gauge Wire?

[Philip, KO6BB]

Hi,

Calculating for 25 Amps would be "worst case' (both rigs transmitting at the 
same time).  However, unless you have two operators in the vehicle, both 
talking at the same time, this is very unlikely as one or the other will 
probably be in receiver mode and only draw a couple Amps.  Assuming (you 
know what they call "assume") the HF rig will draw 20 Amps peak, and in real 
life probably less than that, your calculations for #6 wire should be more 
than sufficient.

73 de Phil,  KO6BB
http://www.ko6bb.com
DX begins at the noise floor!
RADIOS: Yaesu FT-2000, FT-8800, FT-1802, FT-60.
Merced, Central California, 37.3N 120.48W  CM97sh


----- Original Message ----- 


Sorry to "reply" to my own email, but I just used the
voltage drop site and made a calculation of what I
expect may be a typical installation with RF deck
mounted under the rear seat or even farther back.

I assumed 12V, a power cable length of 15 feet
(it WILL add up quickly), 25 Amps and #6 AWG
coductors.

Total voltage drop would be .36 Volts.  Not a problem
for some rigs, but it might be marginal with the IC-7K.
If tend to be O/C as I do, you may wish to go with #4.
That would result in a voltage drop of .228 V.

73 - Mac, K2GKK/5
Oklahoma City, OK

K7VC, mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net