Brushed motor cable AWG

[skom25 1917]

Hi,

I need to replace motor cables to fit XV-01. I am still not sure, but will use probably Torque Tuned, Sport Tuned or Super Stock with NiMh packs. I want to use 3.5 mm gold connectors.

In that case, what is recommended AWG ( or mm) cable size?

[Jonathon Gillham 4690]

14awg will be fine for those motors. You could get 13awg or 12awg but it isn't necessary

[skom25 1917]

It seems that in my area "real" 14 AWG is not available. It is 2.08 mm2.

I can choose from 1.5 mm2 and 2.5 mm2. 1.5 mm2 seems to be to small, so I assume that I should get 2.5 mm2 so +/- 13AWG.

I found that HW1060, at least for battery, has 16 AWG. I assume that it is the same for motor.

Is it fine to connect different cable sizes?

[Twinfan 1840]

Of course, no issue whatsoever.  Note that the max current will be limited to the smallest gauge wire in the chain.

[alvinlwh 7069]

.

[skom25 1917]

17 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

https://muellergroup.net/technical/metric-awg-to-mm2-conversion-chart/

If it worries you that much, use 10awg and have fun soldering them.

It does not worry me. As I wrote, I found only 1.5 mm2 and 2.5 mm2 wires and was not sure which to choose.

[BuggyDad 5397]

According to that link 2.5mm2 equates 14 AWG. 14 AWG is a nice balance of not too bulky (thin enough to route nicely on an XV-01 - it's what I have) but can take the current you need. 

[ManyTamiya3 15]

Use what fits in the connector, or don't use connectors and put the fattest wire you can. Also, the material to make the wire also affects resitance but it doesn't matter. I see you have 929 posts, and you don't know what gauge of wire to use?

[skom25 1917]

41 minutes ago, ManyTamiya3 said:

Use what fits in the connector, or don't use connectors and put the fattest wire you can. Also, the material to make the wire also affects resitance but it doesn't matter. I see you have 929 posts, and you don't know what gauge of wire to use?

I need to order parts, to learn how to solder. Do you really think that I know which wire will fit to connector which I even do not have?

Yes, I have 929 Posts ( now 930) and do not know which wire to use. Do you know why? Because it is my third model and in previous I used everything straight from the box.

I really do not see any help from your side.

 

[Alexei 721]

you should be able to use both 12 and 14AWG with 3.5mm gold connectors.  i have cars with both.

[alvinlwh 7069]

.

[Wheel_Nut 365]

I don't believe you need 12AWG unless you are racing and using Lipo batteries with high current delivery.    For lower current draw motors on a NiMH battery, you would not notice the difference.

There is no catastrophe if you use a thinner cable by a small margin.   In theory you can add up the total resistance of all the electronic components between the battery and the motor,  eg.: 6x Battery cell internal resistance + 2x battery lead resistance + 2x connector resistance + 2x ESC lead resistance + ESC 'ON' resistance + 2x Motor cable resistance.

The total figure is what's really important.   If your NiMH battery is 0.010 ohm per cell or worse, then it is already quite high.  That's why small differences in a few short pieces of cable won't be noticed.

You need to be using silicone insulated wires which are less likely to be damaged and often has temperature rating up to 200 degree C.   That is a matter of safety, especially if there is some kind of equipment failure.

[OoALEJOoO 3257]

@Wheel_Nut's advice is sound and comprehensive. Adding something you can use to help you decide:

Check your other models on the AWG size their motors use, hopefully one of them has the same motor of your new build. Run it in a similar scenario as you plan to run your new XV-01. If the cables of that motor get hot, then you could consider going for a larger AWG.

[skom25 1917]

Thank you!

I ordered 2.5 mm2, so it seems to be 14 AWG. 3.5 mm connectors for Motor/ ESC.

[RichieRich 772]

23 hours ago, ManyTamiya3 said:

Use what fits in the connector, or don't use connectors and put the fattest wire you can. Also, the material to make the wire also affects resitance but it doesn't matter. I see you have 929 posts, and you don't know what gauge of wire to use?

I see you have 24 posts so you probably haven't figured out tact yet. 

[ManyTamiya3 15]

  I stand by my post. 

[Jonathon Gillham 4690]

9 hours ago, RichieRich said:

I see you have 24 posts so you probably haven't figured out tact yet. 

This could make an interesting thread - "I've got 4,500+ posts and still too scared to attempt painting the sand scorcher body that I've had for 18 months"