Wire size for windlass control switches

[Bob_Ranft]

Working aboard so windlass etc. are miles away. In process of installing a Quick Genius 1000 windlass.

Control will be via foot switches on foredeck and up / down switch in cockpit. Distance from the foot switches to the reversing contactor will be approximately 4 feet. Distance from the cockpit up / down switch to the contactor will be approximately 25 feet.

Will 2.5mm square wire (tinned) be sufficient for the control via the foot and cockpit switches.

Have 32mm square (tinned) in stock for the main wiring from battery to windlass etc.

Thanks in advance

Bob

 

[starfire]

Rough Guess.


Most have the control circuit fused at 5A, so should be OK.

 

[savageseadog]

The control wiring will only run an amp or two, so 2.5mm2 will be fine. 35mm2 might be a bit undersized for the main windlass current though. A 1 volt drop at maximum load at 12V (you don't say if you are on 24 or 12V) is probably acceptable.

 

[Bob_Ranft]

Thanks for the info on the control wires. For the windlass planning on using a small Red Flash engine start battery as a bow battery charged via a Xantrex unit from the domestic battery bank.

Boat is a Prout catamaran - don't want the weight of heavy cables running the length of the boat.

Will be using 8 AWG tinned cable to / from domestic batteries for the Xantrex.

Run length from bow battery is short, so 32mm square tinned cable in stock should be OK

Thanks again

Bob