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Wiring for HID lights

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a.s.elliott(at)cox.net
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Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 10:36 am Post subject: Wiring for HID lights

Gang:

  

 I am planning on HID lights for my plane.  The specs say that they  draw about 10 amps for starting and then 3.5 amps while running steady  state.  Must I choose the wire size for the short duration load or can I  size for the long duration load, or maybe split the difference?  The  runs are long, since the lights are in the tips and the ballasts are  only a foot or so inboard.  The "stock" automotive installation comes with  15 amp in-line fuses.

  

 Andy Elliott, Mesa, AZ

N601GE (reserved)

601XL/TD/QB, Corvair,  building...

  

  

   [quote][b]

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nuckollsr(at)cox.net
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 5:53 am Post subject: Wiring for HID lights

At 11:33 AM 5/6/2007 -0700, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  Gang:



I am planning on HID lights for my plane.  The specs say that they draw 

about 10 amps for starting and then 3.5 amps while running steady 

state.  Must I choose the wire size for the short duration load or can I 

size for the long duration load, or maybe split the difference?  The runs 

are long, since the lights are in the tips and the ballasts are only a 

foot or so inboard.  The "stock" automotive installation comes with 15 amp 

in-line fuses.


	


   Short duration loads of 4x the "normal" value

   for the circuit does not endanger wires. However,

   depending on the dynamics of the HID fixture, an

   "inrush" of say 1 second will nuisance trip a 5A

   fuse. Given the very small weight differences,

   combined with our OBAM aviation design goal:

   "Tho shalt suffer no nuisance trips of any

   circuit protection in thy aircraft", I think

   I'd go with AWG16/10A for the wire/fuse

   combination in this instance.



   Bob . . .



        ----------------------------------------

        ( IF one aspires to be "world class",  )

        ( what ever you do must be exercised   )

        ( EVERY day . . .                      )

        (                  R. L. Nuckolls III  )

        ----------------------------------------

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matronics(at)rtist.nl
Guest

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 6:29 am Post subject: Wiring for HID lights

Add to this that thiner wire may not burn up, but it may cause enough 

voltage drop at inrush current that the HID fails to trigger.. Bob's AWG16 

sounds good.



Rob

---

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