Wiring Surface Area & Gauge

[Hell-Fire]

I was reading over mdzcpa's guide on putting together the TEC rig, and was curious.....he listed using 14 gauge hook-up wire to extend the wires off the MCW462-UHT block.

My first problem is that I hate that they put such short wires on the TECs to begin with... :rolleyes:

Anyway, as I am rather tired of waiting on parts to come in, and making trips to pick up odds and ends, I am thinking that stranding a few lines of 16 gauge together will have the same effect as using a lower gauge wire. My thoughts are that if you increase the wires surface are, it can handle a larger current.

Any thoughts?

[DisposableHero]

use larger wires... cuz these wires will get hot!!! mine melted when i used a TEC..

[Hell-Fire]

I am thinking 3-4 strips of 16 gauge wire soldered together will be more than sufficient to handle the current.

[STEvil]

even just 2 16's will do better than a 14.

Heck, I have an amp in my car that is running 800 watts RMS+ running on 4 16gu wires for the power and ground (only temporary, ran out of 4gu....). 2 16gu wires burned up.. lol.

[Hell-Fire]

Thats a few watts...lol.

I think the guide said use 14 gauge, so I am guessing I will be fine.

3 16's may be a little overkill, but a small voltage drop wont hurt me any as my dedicated psu isnt one that can be varied, so it sits at 13.5volts/25amps.

[mdzcpa]

Per my experiences (and the Swiftech documentation) for the 226w pelt, 12 or 14 g wire should be used....period. Do not skimp here! 12 g is bulky, 16 g will get too hot and can melt. 14 g gets a little warm, but never gets too hot. I find it works best for running the 226w TECs in the 12 to 13.8v range. If you plan on using the max 15v on the pelt, I'd go 12 g.

If you must use 2 16 g wires, you'll need to fully rebraid the wire from end to end, then fully re insulate it. I wouldn't do it. Go get some 14 g or 12 g and be done with it. It will work perfect for the 13.5v @ 25a you'll be running.

Safety above all else here is important!

[STEvil]

INDEED!

[Hell-Fire]

Well pooh, off to yet another parts run.

But, safety is the key as you said.

I'll grab some 12 gauge wire and be done with it. After all the work Ive put into this, dont want to have to worry about melting wires and ruining all this hard work.

[Vlad Draculea]

no info on wiring, sorry, nda, hope you understand.

[enzoR]

whats the skin effect?

[Hell-Fire]

Question:

Can I use a real thick speaker wire?

I have extra laying around after putting up my home theater system. It is qualtiy stuff. Its prob something like 8-10 gauge.

[STEvil]

Yes.

As long as the wire is as thick or thicker than what is already on the pelt or comming from the PSU to power it, you are fine.

Personally I think anything over 14gu is overkill for just 226w.