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Message started by ukthumper on 04/13/22 at 14:32:44

Title: Cable sizing for larger handle bars
Post by ukthumper on 04/13/22 at 14:32:44

Evening all,
I’m swapping out my flat bars for pull backs and extending the cables to suit. There’s 8 cables on the left side. 4 have 9 strands each 0.3mm thick which is great because 5amp cable at Halfords (uk generic auto parts store) has exactly the same number and size of strands. However the other 4 have 16 strands at 0.3mm which doesn’t match the 8 amp cable from Halfords which has 14 strands at 0.3mm. The next one up is 17amp which has 28 strands at 0.3mm. My generic motorcycle wiring book recommends 28 strands at 0.3mm thick for headlights. My question is which cable should I use? 8 amp and not worry about it being 2 strands less or the 17 amp.
The down side of the 8 amp is presumably it might get slightly warmer which worries me a bit given the proximity of the fuel tank, and the downside of the 17 amp is the lights might be a bit dimmer? Any thought would be much appreciated
Regards
Tim

Title: Re: Cable sizing for larger handle bars
Post by Dave on 04/13/22 at 19:24:10

7F76747C6476607679707B7270657E797372170 wrote:

The down side of the 8 amp is presumably it might get slightly warmer which worries me a bit given the proximity of the fuel tank, and the downside of the 17 amp is the lights might be a bit dimmer?

The larger the wire size.....the more easily the electricity will flow. A 17 amp wire will flow the current with less resistance and therefore the light would be brighter (but likely not a noticeable amount).

Amperage is watts/voltage.....so if you are using a 60 watts/12v = 5 amps.

It appears an 8 amp wire is fine for the headlight.

Title: Re: Cable sizing for larger handle bars
Post by ukthumper on 04/14/22 at 04:47:12

Hi Dave
Thanks for your response and formula. 8 it is then. I’m going to set myself the challenge of learning basic bike electronics this year - I feel I should have been able to work this out!