[Public-List] Wire gauge for mast lights

[Kristian Larson]

Hi gang,
I thought I’d pipe in with one of my favourite electrical apps. Blue Sea
Circuit Wizard.
It’s free and calculates all that stuff for you.
I find it really handy. I could do the math but it gives you all the specs
for the whole circuit given more factors than I would probably calculate
for myself like wire insulation temp rating and wire bundle size etc.

Cheers
Kristian
SV Mara Jr.
#127

On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 6:47 AM Michael Nikolich via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Christian,
>
> The mast lighting wire in Skybird's mast is 14 AWG.  I haven't done any
> math to see if that is appropriate or overkill - the mast is down so I just
> looked inside at what was printed on the wire.  The wiring was done by the
> rigging company that prepped the mast for use after I bent the old one in
> 2013, so I didn't select the size. At the time all my lights were
> incandescent, so the riggers presumedly would have sized the wire based on
> those higher current draws.
>
> Mike
>
>
> Mike Nikolich
> s/v SKYBIRD
> Alberg 30 #550
> mike.nikolich550 at gmail.com
>
>
> On Apr 5, 2019, at 12:18 PM, Jonathan Bresler via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
> Christian,
>
> Using the BlueSea wire size calculator on my phone
> with inputs of 12V, 1/2A, 90' of wire (36' mast + 9' to get to the battery,
> both ways, 100' might be better),
> 3% drop, 60C temps (lowest allowed), Not in engine room ( ;) 2 wires in
> bundle, turned on for 10 hours,
> and terminated on a fuse
> results in 18AWG.
>
> BUT increasing the current to 1Amp gets 14AWG.
>
> Appears that the limiting factor is the voltage drop.
>
> Would suggest going larger rather than smaller wire.
>
> Jonathan
>
> On Fri, Apr 5, 2019 at 1:17 AM Christian Douglas via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>
> > I need to rewire my mast lighting. I have an anchor and windex light at
> the
> > top and a steaming/deck combo at the spreaders. All are LED and each
> draws
> > less than 0.5 amps. Seems that 16 gauge wire should be sufficient to keep
> > me under 3% drop, even when overestimating the length of the longest run.
> > Does that sound right?
> >
> > Christian
> > Kittiwake #76
> > _______________________________________________
> > These businesses support your Association:
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> > Please support them.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Public-List mailing list
> > Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> > http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
> >
>
>
> --
> Jonathan M Bresler
> S/V Constance Alberg 30 #262
> Annapolis/Eastport MD
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>