Will 16ga Wire Be Safe for this Install?

[kpw555]

I have posted this question in another thread also, as I am ready to go get what I need to finish this project today.

I am installing a mini split AC unit and there is a connection between the inside unit and the outside unit. I'm kind of stuck on the wiring for the inside units. The inside units operate on 30vdc supplied from the outside unit where the mains connect. There are also two additional control wires that must come from outside to inside for a total of 4 wires, all low voltage.

According to the manual that came with the inside units, each requires 1.8 full load amps to operate.

While the schematic calls for 14ga(seems a bit of overkill)wire for this connection, as the units are less than 15' from the source, and the fact that 16ga wire is rated to carry 3.7 amps for power distribution, and the fact that I can get a 25' roll(plenty to wire both units) of stranded 16ga 4 conductor trailer wire for $15 at Autozone...........................................I should be fine with that, so long as connections are solid, right?. Thanks for any advice.

 

[bigv1976]

16 is fine

 

[Essex]

As an electrition I would risk it, but ya will get a tiny volt drop. The cable they call for would be needed on larger runs.

do it and if it blows up ya can blame me, lol

 

[mygirls]

if its going to run off 220 volte then you beter go with the 14 gauge..

 

[kpw555]

if its going to run off 220 volte then you beter go with the 14 gauge..

The voltage in the wiring is 30vdc.

 

[bigv1976]

The electrician would risk it so that should be all the answer you need. Electricians dont fuck around when it comes to overloading a circuit.

 

[kpw555]

As an electrition I would risk it, but ya will get a tiny volt drop. The cable they call for would be needed on larger runs.

do it and if it blows up ya can blame me, lol

Ha ha, thanks guys, I thought it would be ok, I'm gonna go ahead and run 16ga and watch closely during start up for any surprises. I am on my way to Autozone to get me a chunk of trailer wire.

Thanks Again!!!!!!!

 

[mygirls]

The electrician would risk it so that should be all the answer you need. Electricians dont fuck around when it comes to overloading a circuit.

thats why many of them still say that you can not run a MH bulb in a HPS ballast, of that you can not run a lowwer wtt bulb in a higher wtt ballast. EXAP. a 400wtt in a 1000wtt ballast

 

[cdrippper2]

thats why many of them still say that you can not run a MH bulb in a HPS ballast, of that you can not run a lowwer wtt bulb in a higher wtt ballast. EXAP. a 400wtt in a 1000wtt ballast

Is that sarcasm i detect....Anyway, another "electrician" here and yeah, that 16 should work, but remember they rec. 14awg for a reason. In case anyone is wondering, the voltage drop for his run @ 15ft is going to be like .5V...

 

[Essex]

thats why many of them still say that you can not run a MH bulb in a HPS ballast, of that you can not run a lowwer wtt bulb in a higher wtt ballast. EXAP. a 400wtt in a 1000wtt ballast

Never hurd of it till now? I would have thought it will fire as the balast is only there to start and limit the current draw, however a 1000w ballast aint going to limit a 400w bulb very well?

 

[mygirls]

Never hurd of it till now? I would have thought it will fire as the balast is only there to start and limit the current draw, however a 1000w ballast aint going to limit a 400w bulb very well?

does very well. been doing and useing the same bulb for a year now.. i should change the bulb but im wanting to see just how long of life i get out of it...
you have to think of the ballast being like a generator. it powers UP TO what ever wtt the ballast is.

 

[Essex]

A ballast is a current limiting device, it only allows a certain flow through it. If the resistance in your bulb drops the demand will go up, a ballast only allows a set flow, therefore a bigger ballast will allow a larger current. what you may get is a brighter bulb, lower efficiency or blown bulb. If it works for you game on!

 

[mygirls]

A ballast is a current limiting device, it only allows a certain flow through it. If the resistance in your bulb drops the demand will go up, a ballast only allows a set flow, therefore a bigger ballast will allow a larger current. what you may get is a brighter bulb, lower efficiency or blown bulb. If it works for you game on!

nope the bulb is as bright as it is in the 400wtt ballast.. if it works for me it will work for every one else..right..

 

[cdrippper2]

I'm not going to start a war here...but...MYGIRLS, you are technically right, you can run dif. bulbs in the "wrong" ballast. HOWEVER, this will generally shorten the life of either the bulb or more often, the ballast. I know from personal experience with street lighting for a lot of years. Here's a chart from advance/phillips transformer with the operating voltages in case you care to look and see what I'm talking about. It's a PDF, scroll down to "page" 38

 

[mygirls]

I'm not going to start a war here...but...MYGIRLS, you are technically right, you can run dif. bulbs in the "wrong" ballast. HOWEVER, this will generally shorten the life of either the bulb or more often, the ballast. I know from personal experience with street lighting for a lot of years. Here's a chart from advance/phillips transformer with the operating voltages in case you care to look and see what I'm talking about. It's a PDF, scroll down to "page" 38

oh im sure it well shorten the life of the bulb not the ballast