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Wire Guage Question

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  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Southeast Kansas
  • 1,329 posts
Wire Guage Question
Posted by wholeman on Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:11 PM

I have a structure that I want to add lighting.  I plan to use a wall wart and LEDs  The wall wart has output reading of 12VDC, 100mA.  The LEDs I plan on using will be Miniatronics Yeloglo.  Is this going to enough power?  What guage of wire would be best?  I have some 18 guage that I have used to re-wire my lawn mower trailer.

Thanks in advance.

Will

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Ulster Co. NY
  • 1,464 posts
Posted by larak on Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:28 PM

How many LEDs Will? Will they be in series or parallel?

18ga is MORE than enough for this application. 

Karl

The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open.  www.stremy.net

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Southeast Kansas
  • 1,329 posts
Posted by wholeman on Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:32 PM

Thanks Karl for the reply. 

These will be wired in parallel.  I will probably wire thes in parallel.  I thought the 18ga would be overkill.  I just came across the wire the other day and thought it would work since it is free.

Will

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:46 PM

Max current for LEDs is 20ma at about 2 volts across each LED.

If in series, you could have maybe six LEDs.

In parallel with a 1k resistor on each LED, about 10 LEds.

Most use 1k resistors for LEDs which allows about 10ma at 12 volts which is plenty bright.

Go for at least a 1 amp wall wart minimum. Most wall warts are not regulated. The actual voltage will be dependent on how much current is flowing.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Southeast Kansas
  • 1,329 posts
Posted by wholeman on Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:47 PM

Is there a wall wart vendor somewhere online?

Will

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, September 20, 2009 11:20 PM

Radio Shack is online and maybe local to you.

I have used the below one.

http://www.allelectronics.com/

Search the 'Net using 12 volt dc wall wart. You will find al ot of suppliers. Use the search link below.

Put the links in your Favorites folder for future reference.

Rich


If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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