Hi there, im just getting around to installing the internal electrics running off a leisure battery on our Ford Transit and was wondering what size cable is needed for general wiring. Im only running things like lights and tap water pump, while leaving the big stuff to 240V on a hook up! I see that cable prices vary a lot depending on their cross section core ie is 0.5mm big enough or should i go bigger - 0.75mm?
Any help in this area would be appreciated
Thanks
Simon
S, I saw you're post and it prompted me to ask the husband as I've never quite understood the whole amps vs. volts vs. wattevers! He mumbled something about choosing the cable based on it's amp rating. Addiing 'you want to make sure the fuse in your appliances go before the cable melts....' helpful huh. Alternatively I found this online (someone else will know if this is right :o).
1. Determine the wattage of each appliance to be attached to the power cable. Each appliance has a label showing its power consumption in amps, watts or kilowatts.
2. Calculate the power rating of the cable, in amps, by using this formula: amps = watts/volts. For example, a 120-volt supply and a total of 2 kilowatts of appliances attached to the cable indicates that the minimum cable size will be (2,000/120) amps, or 16.67 amp.
remember with cable if the ampage too small it could burn or even melt . better to be slightly too high than too low .
What is the avrage ampage of the lights / pumps you are using ? lights are really low wattage i would say something like this and its thinwall too and remember its twin so not as many single wires running around as your are allways going to have a + and a - with 12 volt equipment .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLAT-TWIN-AUTO-CABLE-2-CORE-1-0mm-16-AMP-CAR-WIRE-10m-AUTOMOTIVE-THINWALL-1mm-/250931772148?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a6cb2faf4
matt
where do i pick up switch power for step on 58 reg transit