[Public-List] Wire gauge for mast lights

[David A. Bardsley]

   Hi all!
   Something to consider is the on-line calculators are great for
   determining the __minimum__ size conductor for a specified voltage
   drop.  Another factor to consider is mechanical strength.
   For many LED lighting application 18awg or smaller is perfectly
   acceptable but I've found anything much smaller than 16awg very flimsy
   and too easily ripped or torn (maybe I'm too much of a neanderthal) for
   my liking.
   IMHO any wiring smaller than 16awg should be considered carefully with
   an eye to "what ifs", like "what if in three years I may want to
   reroute that wire involving a bit of pulling".
   Dave
   Ginseng #574
   On Apr 10, 2019 12:22, Kristian Larson via Public-List
   <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

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