Where Can I find a Wire Size Calculator (Wire Gage Calculator)

[joeyb]

I have a project where I am wiring up a bunch of motors, lights, and solenoids. I have tons of different wired circuits to do and I am having a problem finding a good wire calculator to determine what gage wire I should use.

I found a few charts, but I hate interpolating. Anyone know of a good wire gage calculator ( wire size calculator ) that exists?

I tried making an Excel sheet based on my Engineering Handbook, but it was a big pain.

 

[mechatronix]

Wire Size Calculator (Wire Gage Calculator)

The wire calculator I always use is at http://www.wirebarn.com
It is pretty conservative and it has never let me down. I wired up a whole project car based on the calculations for headlamps, alternator, and all of the high current wires.

Give it a try - here's the actual link....let me know what you think. It's the best one I could find out there to date. Bought a lot of wire from them too, FWIW.
http://www.wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator_ep_41.html

 

[joeyb]

Wire Size Calculator (Wire Gage Calculator)

Thanks Mechatronix! You're a pal. I just tried it out and the wire calculator is pretty sweet.

I love that their calculator has the choice for several voltages and also has a couple of choices for conservative vs. looser (2% and 5% voltage drop). I used 2% to verify mine Excel calculations I did the other day. I think 5% voltage drop option would be OK but I want to play it safe. Can't be too careful.

I also just ordered a wire pack from them as well - their price for GXL and TXL wire is pretty good from what I have seen before.Here's the wire pack I ordered. I got the 18 Gage GXL 10 Pack in 10 colors (need to build a few harnesses for under the hood to fuse box)
http://www.wirebarn.com/10-Pack-18-...llowBrown-White-Orange-Pink-Violet_p_190.html

 

[mechatronix]

Joey, you are right - it's the best wire supply website I've found for GXL Automotive wire and TXL Automotive wire. The best part is that they sell wire both by the foot down to 10 footers and in multi packs that are 25 foot of each color.
Not sure if they use "sticky"s here on this forum for good helpful info, but http://www.wirebarn.com would be a good one to add. Oh, and they actually answer the phone when you call! Seriously, I can't find that anywhere else. Funny, but looking for a good wire supply place was harder than you would think. Most of the other places I looked force you to buy 100 foot of every color. The fact that wirebarn sells 10, 25, 50, and 100 feet of every color reduced my project cost by about $200..100 feet would last me forever, especially in 12 Gauge wire!