Beady 81 Posted January 26 Report Share Posted January 26 Help I need to extend the cable length of my Ctek charge - the end section of the cable that attaches to the battery is only about 40cm long then it has a plug connector to connect to the charger (as attached pic) so I need to cut this cable and extend it to about 1.5-2m long - any guidance on what size / cable rating i need to use? Also if I am adding a pair of 55w spotlights - same question - what cable size? (not on the Lotus) Any help much appreciated . that Can anyone advise what size / rating cable i should use. Quote construction and property consultants : My company Link to post Share on other sites
exeterjeep 207 Posted January 26 Report Share Posted January 26 14 minutes ago, Beady said: I need to extend the cable length of my Ctek charge - the end section of the cable that attaches to the battery is only about 40cm long then it has a plug connector to connect to the charger (as attached pic) You can buy an extension cable eg on ebay - under £14. I bought one ages ago, but since then I have a lion battery and charger etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bravo73 1,339 Posted January 26 Report Share Posted January 26 Yep, they seem to come in 2.5m & 5m lengths: https://www.ctek.com/uk/products/car/ctx-connect-extension Quote Link to post Share on other sites
electro_boy 227 Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 (edited) 15 hours ago, Beady said: Also if I am adding a pair of 55w spotlights - same question - what cable size? (not on the Lotus) One 55w spot light running on 12V will draw 4.6amps. (Watts = Volts x amps => amps = watts/volts, 55/12=4.6) You then need to know how long of a cable you will be using and then from that work out the gauge of the cable. Use the following table as a guide: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/amps-wire-gauge-d_730.html So if you needed a 5m length of wire per light and you are running at 4.6amps you would need 16AWG at a minimum. I would go up a size to give some head room and go for 14AWG instead (smaller AWG number equals thicker wire) FYI I'm just amateur hobbyist at the best so please double check that advise Edited January 27 by electro_boy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snowrx 183 Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 Don't just tack the spot lights extra 10 amps of load onto an existing circuit unless you know it can handle it. You might overtax a wire in your harness or some switch contacts. Best to use a relay, or a sturdy switch, fed from the battery (with a fuse of course) to power the lights. Assuming the Ctek is a maintenance charger probably just running an amp or two, you could splice in pretty much any wire 20ga or better. Larger wire will have lower losses if you lengthen it a bunch. Most any mains appliance or lamp cord would probably be fine, you can compare the cross section of the copper when you cut it to splice in the extension. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leigh Greenham 26 Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 17 hours ago, electro_boy said: One 55w spot light running on 12V will draw 4.6amps. (Watts = Volts x amps => amps = watts/volts, 55/12=4.6) You then need to know how long of a cable you will be using and then from that work out the gauge of the cable. Use the following table as a guide: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/amps-wire-gauge-d_730.html So if you needed a 5m length of wire per light and you are running at 4.6amps you would need 16AWG at a minimum. I would go up a size to give some head room and go for 14AWG instead (smaller AWG number equals thicker wire) FYI I'm just amateur hobbyist at the best so please double check that advise Not quite right, as a 55W bulb is rated at that power when fed from a 12V supply, but the lights will only be used with the engine running and the working voltage will more likely be 14.2V if the alternator is good. So if the bulb has a nominal hot resistance of 2.6 Ohms, the current drawn is more likely to be 5.5 Amps per bulb. I have fitted LED bulbs to my original Lucas lamps, more light for under half the current! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
electro_boy 227 Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 Ah yes good point @Leigh Greenham, 12v is the minimum but typical is ~14V. Thank you for correcting me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mg4lotus 159 Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 LED lamps = less current = thinner wires = added light AND added lightness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.