What size wire????

RichH · Jun 8, 2009

http://boatstuff.awardspace.com/awgcalc.html

This includes the 'round trip' for the wiring (positve plus ground)

I think my source for this calculator was Maine Sail ...

Bill Roosa · Jun 8, 2009

Wire type and coax size

Use stranded, tinned wire.
VHF frequencies are not very happy in small coax. It is recommended that for VHF freqs us use the largest diameter coax you can afford. 1/2" is about the smallest you should use.

good luck

Maine Sail · Jun 8, 2009

jackhartjr said:
Bill, where would I find Coax that large...I have not seen any that large?
Most I see is the RG8X that the truckers use that is about 1/4 inch thick.
Thanks.
Jack

Ancor and others make RG8U which is what I use. My boat came with RG58 and the difference in performance is fairly drastic.

Bill Bell · Jun 8, 2009

LED lamps won't take much 18 -20 gauge would work. For the coax RG-8 is best then RG-8X.. Just make sure that you ask for a radio check every couple of hours, that's why I hate to turn on the the VHF.

Ron20324 · Jun 8, 2009

jackhartjr said:
Hi folks, getting ready to run the coax and wire up the mast.
The coax is easy.
What sized wire would you use to make a run 35 feet from the breaker to the top of the mast for the LED anchor light and about 25 feet for the two LED spreader lights? None of the three lights use many amps.
Would you use stranded or solid wire?
Thanks in advance.
Jack

Tinned and stranded wire. Look in the West catalog advisor for proper the guage-for-distance and amps.