Voltage Drop calculator for DC Wires
All wires passing electricity are subject to what is called "Voltage Drop". Simply put, the more amps you push through a wire, the lower the voltage goes. The loss is due to friction in the wires basically. Voltage drop affects positive and negative wires, both AC and DC currents in a similar manner. Vehicles have some other interesting quirks involved, so we will discuss positive and negative separately.
Negative Wires:
The frames of our vehicles serve as the negative in the DC power circuit that powers everything in the vehicle. There is a lot of metal in the frame, so we don't really have to worry about wires all the way back to the battery, their weight, or cost.
There are generally two things you should consider:
1. Install a very heavy gauge ground from the battery to the frame is absolutely NECESSARY. DOUBLE THEM UP IF IN DOUBT. The frame serves the purpose of carrying the current to the ground straps nicely. However, you need to give the frame a big wire to discharge to. Combine all the amps from all the sources possible when doing the wire calculations for the negative ground strap.
2. When doing wire calculations, count the frame as the same gauge as the wire, you don't get an advantage with the frame, just a lack of much loss. Measure the distance for the positive (red) wire, use this distance for the wire calculator. Voltage Drop calculator for DC Wires
Positive Wires:
Each item, be it the air conditioner, starter, or radio, usually has a unique connection to the vehicle's fuse box, and then a communal wire back to the battery from there. Some fuse boxes are easily opened, wires removed, and new thicker ones soldered in. If your upgrade is small, you may only need a new fuse (see above Fuses). However, many fuse boxes are not accessible, are pre wired, and so forth. This makes the upgrading of wires more challenging, but there is an easy way to do this.
First, locate the unique outbound wire for the circuit in question and the corresponding fuse.
Once the fuse and wire are isolated, remove the fuse, and clip the wire.
Install a new fuse holder, and load with fuse at appropriate amperage (usually the size of the load + 20%-50%), and a wire thick enough to handle the amperage directly to the battery.
Voltage Drop calculator for DC Wires
Firewalls:
Firewalls provide 4 critical functions as they isolate the engine compartment and the cockpit of the vehicle:
safety from fire in the engine bay
isolates noise of the engine
keeps the cold/heat out
blocks road debris
To properly pass current through a firewall, install a couple pass throughs. Firewall passthroughs isolate the engine bay from the cockpit and are very easy to install. Simply drill a hole in the firewall, insert piece, (optional add washer not included), screw down other side. They provide an easy jump for positive and negative terminals, allow for insulation from engine noise and are sealable for water tight installations. Click below to see these items.
Legally: REMEMBER, ELECTRICITY HURTS, IT CAN KILL YOU. BD BATTERIES TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS WITH THIS INFORMATION. IF YOU AREN'T TRAINED TO WORK WITH ELECTRICITY, CALL SOMEONE WHO IS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO MEDDLE, YOU AGREE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF! THIS GUIDE IS IN NO WAY A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL GUIDE, AND SHALL NOT BE PRESENTED AS SUCH IN ANY FORMAT OR FORUM. PERFORMANCE BATTERIES ARE CAPABLE OF ARC WELDING STEEL AND OTHER VERY INTERESTING THINGS INCLUDING YOUR HEART. BE CAREFUL, DON'T HURT YOURSELVES.
BD Batteries - A Broomfield-Designers Company
Serving the Local Colorado Community 9-5 Mountain & Emergencies P. 303-800-4725 F. 303-600-9726
Serving the Buffalo and the Great Lakes Communities 9-5 Eastern & Emergencies P. 716-531-4875
Mailing Address: 5023 West 120th Ave. #138, Broomfield, CO 80020
OUR DENVER WAREHOUSE IS MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION AT THIS TIME.
WE WERE SCHEDULED TO REOPEN OUR BRICK AND MORTAR BATTERY WAREHOUSE IN EARLY 2011.
IN THE MEAN TIME OUR WEBSITE AND PHONES OPERATE FINE!
We do thank the public for the outreach of concern, and votes of confidence.
Do call Lorene prior to schedule used battery pickups, new battery dropoffs, etc. by appointment.
The information contain on this deep cycle AGM batteries website is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Please verify specific information on marine AGM batteries, rv AGM batteries or auto AGM batteries listed here by calling us direct. We are proud to offer the highest quality AGM batteries and hope you will consider using our deep cycle AGM batteries in the near future!
Legally: REMEMBER, ELECTRICITY HURTS, IT CAN KILL YOU. BD BATTERIES TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS WITH THIS INFORMATION. IF YOU AREN'T TRAINED TO WORK WITH ELECTRICITY, CALL SOMEONE WHO IS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO MEDDLE, YOU AGREE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF! THIS GUIDE IS IN NO WAY A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL GUIDE, AND SHALL NOT BE PRESENTED AS SUCH IN ANY FORMAT OR FORUM. PERFORMANCE BATTERIES ARE CAPABLE OF ARC WELDING STEEL AND OTHER VERY INTERESTING THINGS INCLUDING YOUR HEART. BE CAREFUL, DON'T HURT YOURSELVES.
