will Being Mr cheap work this time?

[icecoolwas]

ok so I really couldnt be bothered paying alot of $$$ for a run of 0/1, so what I did was I bought alot of oxygen free multi strand 16 gauge wires (20 specifically) off the internet long enough for the length of my car, when it arrives me and my pal are gunna line them up together, snip and strip the ends then twist them, use terminal rings, then twist the whole wires (so it kinda looks like a rope) then use cable ties to neaten it all up so its just a giant cable. now my question is, how much gauge is 10 16 gauge wires? if its good enough then damn i saved myself a helluva lot of cash.

[Perry Babin]

If the 16g strands are individually insulated, it's a fire hazard unless you use 20 fuses (one for each strand).

It would be approximately equivalent to 3g wire.

[icecoolwas]

Originally Posted by Perry Babin

If the 16g strands are individually insulated, it's a fire hazard unless you use 20 fuses (one for each strand).

It would be approximately equivalent to 3g wire.

Couldnt I just use a massive fuse for the whole cable?

also just wondering how did you work out 3gauge? formula or calc u can share?

Thanks.

[Perry Babin]

If you use one fuse (chosen to protect a 3g wire) and the insulation for one strand is cut by a sharp piece of grounded metal (firewall, under seat...), that one strand will burn until the copper fuses open. This will likely ignite the insulation, carpet and any plastic panels in contact with the wire.

16g wire is ~2600 circular mils. 3g is ~52,000 circular mils.

[icecoolwas]

Hmm, What about a circuit breaker, should trip more better, also could use cable dressing?

Originally Posted by Perry Babin

If you use one fuse (chosen to protect a 3g wire) and the insulation for one strand is cut by a sharp piece of grounded metal (firewall, under seat...), that one strand will burn until the copper fuses open. This will likely ignite the insulation, carpet and any plastic panels in contact with the wire.

16g wire is ~2600 circular mils. 3g is ~52,000 circular mils.

[damage]

Originally Posted by icecoolwas

Hmm, What about a circuit breaker, should trip more better, also could use cable dressing?

You aren't understanding. That single strand will burn because it is still attached to a single LARGE fuse that won't blow under the load a 16awg piece of wire will draw when shorted. But it will still be enough heat to burn.

[icecoolwas]

Originally Posted by damage

You aren't understanding. That single strand will burn because it is still attached to a single LARGE fuse that won't blow under the load a 16awg piece of wire will draw when shorted. But it will still be enough heat to burn.

ohh...

So best thing for me to do is insulate the cables more, hmm I cant seem to remember the name of that kinda netty/strechy fabric thing that is on high powered computer powersupplies...

EDIT:

I'm pretty sure its called cable sleeving, could add two layers of this.

[Saturnus]

Buy a small enclosure meant to be put on wires, and put a PTC on each strand. Problem solved.

[Glowbug]

The best thing to do would get the proper size cable for your current draw

hmm I cant seem to remember the name of that kinda netty/strechy fabric thing that is on high powered computer powersupplies...

Techflex. But leave the 16awg for other uses...

[icecoolwas]

Originally Posted by Glowbug

The best thing to do would get the proper size cable for your current draw



Techflex. But leave the 16awg for other uses...

maybe so, I havnt bought the 16awg wires yet, I only said for some decent replies