Wire size for t5 retro?

29reef · 03/31/2011, 09:20 AM

I was wondering if the wire gauge will make a difference in making up my retro kit for some 660 ballasts. I plan to use 12g solid because I already have 500' rolls of multiple colors from work. I don't really have any experience with high voltage lighting so any help would be great. Thanks.

Jade · 03/31/2011, 09:44 AM

I used 18awg on my T-5 retros. No problems here.

evsalty · 03/31/2011, 09:53 AM

The stock harness is either 18 or 16 awg. 12 will just be overkill so you will be more then fine.

29reef · 03/31/2011, 11:10 AM

I'm aware it's much larger, I was/am worried that it was possibly too big.

on the spot · 03/31/2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 29reef

I'm aware it's much larger, I was/am worried that it was possibly too big.

It won't fit in the end caps, so from that point it's too big.

Harry_Y · 03/31/2011, 08:06 PM

Don't use 12 it is way to big:

Hard to work with and most likely wont fit into the ballast and end caps
I used 14 before and even that was a pain and wound up breaking
an end cap due to the strain of the larger gauge wire.

On my last ones I order up the right stuff and it is far easier to work with.

03/31/2011, 09:20 AM	#1
29reef It's all about the flow Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Huntington Beach OC Posts: 3,643	Wire size for t5 retro? I was wondering if the wire gauge will make a difference in making up my retro kit for some 660 ballasts. I plan to use 12g solid because I already have 500' rolls of multiple colors from work. I don't really have any experience with high voltage lighting so any help would be great. Thanks. __________________ -Brian RIP-The Metal Halide- My SPS may never know such a great friend again. Current Tank Info: Currently Tankless

03/31/2011, 09:44 AM	#2
Jade FWMAS Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Van Wert, Ohio Posts: 478	I used 18awg on my T-5 retros. No problems here. __________________ WHAT WE KNOW IS SO MUCH LESS THAN WHAT WE DON'T KNOW Current Tank Info: New set up in the works. 36x36x18, 2x Tunze 6045, RKE with MLC and 4 pods, 2x Lumen Max 3 150w HQI's with Bluewave 7 Ballast. Thats all so far.

03/31/2011, 11:10 AM	#4
29reef It's all about the flow Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Huntington Beach OC Posts: 3,643	I'm aware it's much larger, I was/am worried that it was possibly too big. __________________ -Brian RIP-The Metal Halide- My SPS may never know such a great friend again. Current Tank Info: Currently Tankless

03/31/2011, 08:06 PM	#6
Harry_Y Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NY Posts: 454	Don't use 12 it is way to big: Hard to work with and most likely wont fit into the ballast and end caps I used 14 before and even that was a pain and wound up breaking an end cap due to the strain of the larger gauge wire. On my last ones I order up the right stuff and it is far easier to work with. __________________ . 180 Gallon Reef with Basement Sump, Apex Controller, Hamilton Cebu Sun Light, Lifereef Skimmer and Calcium Reactor.

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03/31/2011, 09:53 AM	#3
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	The stock harness is either 18 or 16 awg. 12 will just be overkill so you will be more then fine.