E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

cable extension

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 06:04 AM
  #1  
Stranger12's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Members
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Uk
My Ride: 530d
Default cable extension

Hi All,

Can one use 0.55 core cables for extension of accessories cable ?

I have seen below from screwfix which is £14 for 50m but it is for house

Flat Flexible Cable 2192Y 2-Core 0.5mm² x 50m White | Flexible Cable | Screwfix.com

If you are powering a gauge and use a think cable which connects to thing cable , does that cause any issues due to resistance etc ?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 06:22 AM
  #2  
twh's Avatar
twh
Members
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

What exactly are you trying to extend?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 06:24 AM
  #3  
Stranger12's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Members
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Uk
My Ride: 530d
Default

cable for my oil temp gauge .

it is an after market gauge with a very thing cable which I think has only 1/2 copper in it.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 07:04 AM
  #4  
twh's Avatar
twh
Members
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Here are considerations for wire in cars.

Insulation resistance to environment. If all inside the car cabin, you need to worry about high and low temperatures in the cabin. Outside the cabin, you additionally need water and oil resistance.

You need to understand what amperage is going to run through the wire.

You need to understand if the wire needs any type of noise immunity - coax cable, for example.

For your application, any wire will be fine.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 07:23 AM
  #5  
Stranger12's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Members
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Uk
My Ride: 530d
Default

Many thanks
I don't suppose those small wires even take 1 amp, way lower, am I wrong ?

Also re cabling , can I take one power source and feed 6 gauges from it by connecting the source to all 6 gauges using 6 to 1 relation ?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
twh's Avatar
twh
Members
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Look at the specs for the wire. Typically will give max voltage and max current. There may be a wire classification on the wire and you can look that up for the values also.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 01:40 PM
  #7  
Stranger12's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Members
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Uk
My Ride: 530d
Default

something like a car horn , what amp would you expect it to need
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 02:31 PM
  #8  
twh's Avatar
twh
Members
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

Originally Posted by Stranger12
something like a car horn , what amp would you expect it to need
Now you are talking about something that might draw considerable power. I expect there are horns that draw sub 1 amp, but there are probably ones that draw more. You need the specs on the horn and the specs on the wire.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 03:23 AM
  #9  
Stranger12's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Members
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Uk
My Ride: 530d
Default

sure, how do I know if I am overloading the cable ?

the cable there was supplying 3 gauges power and know I am going to run 6 gauges from it .

will the fuse blow if there is one or would it burn ?

is it worth putting a fuse there if none there?

is there anything that can act as wire distributer where by I connect the main wire and get 3-4 out puts from other side?

many thanks
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 06:39 AM
  #10  
twh's Avatar
twh
Members
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Default

I assume there is a fuse on the line you have tapped into. You must have connected this wire to a power wire someplace -- like the cigarette lighter. That has a fuse. It must be fused. But, the fuse blows only after a certain current flows though it. You need to know that the wire you are using can handle the current the fuse is rated for. If you are just hooking up some electronic gauges, they likely don't draw much. Find the gauges online and look at the input power required for each gauge. Add them all up.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:18 AM.