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Date:   Mon, 18 May 1998 17:53:47 EDT
Reply-To:   GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Sender:   Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:   GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Subject:   Re: wire size for headlight circuit
Comments:   To: raven@HALCYON.COM, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type:   text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 98-05-18 11:37:50 EDT, raven@HALCYON.COM writes:

<< OK, I've decided to run a dedicated, relay-switched +12V line to power my headlights and fog lights. My questions is what gauge wire should I use? I've got some 8 gauge--that should handle it right? I believe it's rated at 40 amps--that would handle up to 480 watts of lighting. Comments? >>

Micheal--

I'm not an electrical engineer, but I've seen pictures of them on TV. I know part of the equation for this is "distance"; like: the distance the electrons have to run through the wire. The longer the distance, the fatter the wire you should use.

I am from the "Brick Sh*thouse" school of electrical design, and would urge you to OVER engineer the gauge of the wire, simply because it won't cost much more now, and it really stinks when a wire overheats, or blows fuses all the time.

$1.25

gmbulley cary, nc 5 days to Buggout!


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