18 gauge wire - ok for 5V power + Other?

[pboreham]

Hi all,

Being VERY new to electronics, I'm not sure on the ins and outs of different things.

I need to bring 5V up from the PC to the LEDWiz as I'm sure many of you have done. Is it ok to get a power splitter for the PCs internal power, then bring the wires (yellow + black?) up to the LEDWiz using the 18 gauge wire I've been using to cable the buttons?

Dont know if its the right cable, or it will set on fire or anything!!!!??

Thanks for any advice, Paul.

[genesim]

I use 18guage all the time with no problems.   I have lots of 5v leads and I have left that stuff on literally for months!

[DaOld Man]

bring the wires (yellow + black?) up to the LEDWiz using the 18 gauge wire I've been using to cable the buttons?

You will need to use Red + Black to get 5 volts.
Yellow + Black is 12 volts.

[Cakemeister]

IIRC PC power supplies use 18ga wire. Your normal hookup wire is 22ga.

So you're fine.

Plus, use the red and black like DaOld Man said.

[pboreham]

Thanks guys!

I will also have to bring 12V up to the top of the cab for the marquee light - how does that work? Obviously extend the YELLOW ( ) up, but what about a ground for that? Can I daisy chain the same ground that I would use for the 5V to the CP?

Confuzzzed!

[bigh4th]

I've found that in most cases with DC electrical, a ground is a ground.  I have a couple of items in my cocktail plugged into the power supply drive connectors with male pill connectors.  although I did make sure to use the right positive lead (red is 5v, yellow 12v)  I just used whichever ground was furthest away to make sure there was less chance of a short.  Haven't had a problem yet.

as far as wire size/gauge goes...Amperage dictates wire size.  This is why the wire on circular saw is larger (or at least should be) than the wire on a lamp.  They both use the same 110v from the socket, but the saw will require a much higher amperage to opperate than the light.

There are calculators and tables on the net that will tell you the gauge of wire you should use for given amperage, just do a google search.   In your case, 18 gauge wire is probably overkill for the LEDwiz, but having too large of a wire won't hurt whereas too small could be hazordous.

-Harry

[pboreham]

Thanks Harry!

Would it be ok to bring the 5V into the LEDWiz if I only have 5 or so LEDs working (i.e. when testing).

Also, finally, how do I attach the 5V into the LEDWiz as it already has a loop of cable in there?

Thanks!

[scotthh]

The printed instructions which come with the LED-wiz are available here. They say you remove the jumper if you're going to use PC power. There's no downside to using the 5V for too little draw. The problem is if you want more than 500ma you need to use the PC power and cannot use the limited power coming from the USB.

[pboreham]

Thanks Scott!

[rockin_rick]

I consider 18 gauge wire good for up to 7 amps, at normal ambients.

Rick