Best Gauge of wire ???

[Perry007]

I think I am going to try to install a few things....

1. What is the best gauge of wire to use for the LED Tape lights? (12 volts - 24 watts)

2. What is the best gauge of wire for an ooga horn? (12v - 40 amp relay)

3. Best Gauge wire for LED DRL? (12v - 6 watts)

4. Best gauge of wire to run from the converter to a toggle switch to a fuse box?

5. Also, what is better... To solder wire to the connections on the LED Tape or to use the clips?

Also, any advice on what size of fuse to use with each of these?

Thank You!

[hondarider203]

I'm thinking (if it were me) I would run a 10 gauge wire from the converter to a six way fuse block and come off the fuse block to each accessories an I would say a 16 white is plenty from the fuse block out to your switch and lights and what not. As do connecting I prefer heat shrink butt connectors then I use heat shrink tubing over that to ensure that stuff don't get in it. As for fuses I would say start small. The leds should run off like a 3 amp the horn not real sure. Drl probly a 5-10 amp would work

[cgtech]

Ignore the "non-critical" column.

[Volt_Ampere]

Amps are what matters. 24W at 12V is 2 amps. Look at the chart and keep in mind that larger wire (smaller gauge) won't hurt. Sometimes it is just the mechanical issues that determines what wire I use.

[JohnnieB]

The general rule of thumb I use for fuse sizing is double the continuous amp draw and round up to the next higher size if twice the continuous amps falls between sizes.

For example the 12V-6W DRL draws 0.5A, so use a 1A fuse. (If you are going to power two of them in parallel, they'll draw 1A, so use a 2A fuse)

I prefer solder or solder/crimp connections, so I'd use non-insulated butt-splices, solder them after crimping and then seal the connection with heat shrink tubing.

[Perry007]

Thank You all for your input! I enjoy the vast amount of knowledge shared on this site!

Cgtech, thank You for the chart, I will save that in my file!

I am not electrically inclined as you all i suppose....

How do compute amps from volts and watts? I am assuming it is watts/volts? (based on reverse math by Johnnie's and Volt's numbers...)

I figured solder would be best, and one less item to buy (clips).

[Volt_Ampere]

Watts = amps * volts (DC)

[cgtech]

I will add, that wasnt my pic (the amps/wire gauge chart), i got it here, and used it extensively. It is now posted on the "wire rack" with the spools, BTW, Heres the conversion from amps/watts/volts/ohms, it will solve so many questions if you look at it (and maybe grab a calculator).

[Perry007]

Thank you.....

Johnnie, I ordered a heat gun, some butt-splices and heat shrink tubing.... I will do just that!

So 12 gauge it is...

Still unsure about the horn... Should I not use a relay and wire it through a momentary switch with 12 gauge?

From what I have read, the Oogah Horn works best through a 40 amp relay...

I am unsure how the relay effects the horn (or purpose of the relay).

[cgtech]

The purpose of the relay is to keep the loads on your horn button low (horn buttons are generally not rated at 40amps).