[Public-List] Wire gauge for mast lights

[Jonathan Bresler]

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
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-- 
Jonathan M Bresler
S/V Constance Alberg 30 #262
Annapolis/Eastport MD