Miata Mailing List: March 1994, Message #56
sponsored by



     


   From: meek@me.mech.utah.edu
Subject: Re:
   Date: Fri, 4 Mar 1994 11:31:42 -0500


>
>    BTW:  Is anybody else peeved about the incredibly high guage wire
>        used through-out the miata?  Please don't get me into a large
>        discussion about weight, etc.  I recently installed an alarm
>        and aftermarket stereo system and I was shocked by the very
>        thin wire.  For example the lighter accessory (30 Amp fuse)
>        with what appears to be 16-18 guage wire with about five
>        conducting wires....
>


Heavier guage wire is not needed.  16 Guage wire has only 4 ohms per 1000
ft.  So a few feet of 16 guage wire does not have significant resistance
nor have significant heating.  (I also fuse my lighter plug at a lower
amperage -- 30 amps on a loose wire can do damage and makes a lot of
sparks).  You want wire with several conductors.  I would prefer more than
five.  It's more flexible and has better fatigue life.  BTW weight does
matter.  The total wiring in a car is a significant weight and significant
cost.  That's why many manufacturers are researching optical fiber and
multiplexed busses for the instrumentation and other wiring.

Sandy

Sanford Meek
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
Amateur radio:  KB7YSQ
meek@me.mech.utah.edu