Would this wire be sufficent for 100v setup....

[steveo]

I got some free standard solid copper wiring used in homes; i was wondering if it would be sufficient to use for the wiring on my bike; i'm not sure of the gauge; but it'd say the thickness of the led portion of an HB pencil.

i'll be running 100v; current directly from dewalt cells; i believe they provide 60 amps max directly from the battery pack...

thanks in advance
-steveo

 

[flip_normal]

I'm not totally sure but I think that solid core wire is good for 50 amps. It doesn't matter what voltage you put across the wire its the current flowing though it that causes the heat. If in doubt you could always use two cores running parallel to each other for each of the battery wires. Make sure there's no parts of the cable that need to flex, the solid core wire will stress fracture if it is exposed to repeated movement.

If you're using unmodified dewalt packs then be aware there is an internal 15 amp fuse buried in the potting compound of the BMS which will blow if you try to draw more than that from any one pack. You'll need 4 packs in parallel if you want to pull 60 amps. Take great care if your wiring for 100v dc at that voltage mistakes can be LETHAL.

 

[Beagle123]

Most household wiring isn't made for 50 amps. The thinner wire is 14 guage for most 15 amp circuits. That wire is used for bedrooms etc. The wire for 20 amp circuits is 12 guage and it is used for kitchens. A better choice for you might be 10 guage stranded wire. Many people use 12 guage stranded for ebikes, so I'm sure that would be fine too.

 

[safe]

A better choice for you might be 10 guage stranded wire. Many people use 12 guage stranded for ebikes, so I'm sure that would be fine too.

10 gauge wire is cheap... I think it was about 15 cents a foot at my local hardware store. It's worth it to spend some money and get good wire. My first wiring harness used 12 gauge (or less) wire and even at 40 amps it would get warm by the end of the ride. The thicker the wire the less heat loss... so it's like buying a more efficient motor...

 

[fechter]

I wouldn't recommend solid wire for anything on a vehicle. The constant vibration and flexing will tend to make it break over time. If it's installed in a spot that never flexes, I suppose it would be OK.

 

[Ypedal]

Does solid copper conduct better than multi-strand of the same gauge ?

I was under the impression that it's the surface area of the conductor that permits more flow of current.. larger gauge has larger surface area but multiple fine strands have even more ...

true or false ?

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

I think you're thinking of the skin effect, so what you said is true for high frequency AC, generally over a MegaHertz.
You only have more surface area with multiple strands if the individual strands are insulated from each other which is the case with Litz wire.
Regular multiple strands are only for flexability.

 

[steveo]

thanks for the quick replys!

I've been the the hardware store in the past; there electrical wire seems to to be able to handle that much current; even that the multi strand ex 10 gauge looks like aluminum wiring; i doubt it; since aluminum is no longer used in homes, i think its silver coated maybe; even that the wiring there is good for 15 - 30 amps... i have some 10 gauge on my bike that i used for my sla cells; i got it from a cars starter wire; multi strand copper wiring; i'll salvage whatever i can.

Will that 10 gauge copper wiring that is silver coated be enough; I'm taking all precautions with this setup; I'd like to use deans connectors to make the connections. Is that sufficient enough.

-steveo