Wire size for power/switched wire

[shebwilly]

Hello I'm installing a marine radio on my boat and had a couple quick ?'s 1-if I don't want a constant draw (no matter how small) on the battery, can I splice both the power and the switched power to a toggle switch,2-is 18 ga. Sufficient for constant and switched power or should I go heavier

 

[burp]

Re: Wire size for power/switched wire

Since you mentioned switched and power, I assume you are talking about a AM-FM-CD stereo. If so, switched power and power can come from the same power source. Just remember when you kill the power, all the radio presets will be lost. The needed wire size will depend upon the power (watts) the stereo can produce and the distance from the battery. Stereos will often cut out as the volume is increased if the power to the stereo is insufficient. Smaller wire size, longer wire length and increased volume will result in a larger voltage drop along the length of wire and less power available at the stereo unit itself. Personally, I'd go with a larger wire size (12 ga.).

 

[j_martin]

Re: Wire size for power/switched wire

The amount of power the radio will draw to keep presets won't make any difference on your battery. It's only a few milliamps.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Wire size for power/switched wire

Use 16GA, run the yellow (stereo memory) to a constant hot source, either the batt or the batt switch, fuse at the source with a 10A fuse holder. The red you want switched. Remember, even though your yellow is for memory, the head unit won't work if it's not hooked up...