Date:         Fri, 19 Dec 1997 19:47:57 CST
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.sdsc.edu>
From:         Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: aux headlights
In-Reply-To:  Message of Fri, 19 Dec 1997 17:41:37 -0800 (PST) from
              <wli@u.washington.edu>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Fri, 19 Dec 1997 17:41:37 We-i "Sparky" Li said:
>Now since each 55 watt lamp draws 4.6 A, you would want to wire each lamp
>up with at least 20 gauge wire..... for safety and to minimize voltage
>drops, it is wiser to go up and use lower gauge (thicker) wire.

since i believe in ultra-conservative massive overkill (when dealing with
the Demon Electricity), i still recommend using WAAAAy too big a wire ...
like nothing smaller than 14 gauge. :)  plus it's easier to find 12, 14, and
16 gauge wiring in the auto parts places.

>You might be tempted to wire the aux lights in by tapping into the
>existing headlamp wiring... DON'T.

AMEN!!!! you want the auxillary lights to be completely separate and
independent of ANYthing on the normal lighting (well ... cept for the
little trigger wire for the aux. light relays). this is so that when/if
you screwed up on the aux. lights, or something smashes one, you will still
have a normally functioning intact lighting system. you don't want some
fog light shorting out your entire bus's headlights and everything. :)

>All this may sound real compulsive, but wiring mistakes are all too easy
>to make, and the consequences are very bad.

yup. :)

>Final caveat: route the wires with care, avoiding strain, and areas which
>can damage the insulation through rubbing contact points. Those plastic
>tie-wraps make the whole installation look professional.

and always leave some slack in the wire ... like a small loop of about
two or three inches in diameter. this is so you'll have some ability, later
on, to reroute or move the wires a little. wire is cheap .. don't try to
cut corners on the wires or the connectors. go slow and do it right the
first time ... good lighting can save your life. and a sloppy job of wiring
can be a frustration for what will seem like Eternity. :)

joel