Wiring some spreader lights...

[billh1963]

Hi,<br />I'll be adding a couple of 55 watt halogen spreader lights to my aluminum T-top soon and have a couple of questions, please:<br /><br />1. The guy who built the t-top did a heck of a job but he didn't run a string to fish the wires for the lights. I'll have to drill into the aluminum at several points to hide the wires (since I don't want to cable tie the wires all along the aluminum pipe). What is the best way to protect the wires from chafing where they enter the pipes? Any other ideas?<br /><br />2. What gauge wire would be suitable for this job?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring some spreader lights...

Rubber grommets are available at Radio Shack or any electronic supply store. Drill the hole, run the wires, then snip the grommet and slip it around the wire and into the hole. Alternately, you can run the wire through the grommet, into the tubing, and then pop the grommet into the hole. Always drill the wire holes on a lower surface so water can't get in during a storm.

 

[billh1963]

Re: Wiring some spreader lights...

Thanks, Upinsmoke. I've thought about using grommets. That's what I'll do as a last resort. I didn't know if anything new was on the market.<br /><br />I was also hoping someone might have a clever idea for running wires through the twists and turn of the T-top...probably wishful thinking!<br /><br />Any idea on wire size?<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Bill

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Wiring some spreader lights...

Appropriate wire size is determined by the voltage and current (amps) each light needs, relative to the distance between the light and the distributed power. Was that helpful?<br /> <br /><br />In a nutshell, you prob have 12v lamps, look at the manf’s spec to see how many amps the light pulls, then check the wire-size chart, entering the length of the wire:<br /><br /> http://www.ancorproducts.com <br /><br />The wire calculator is under the [Technical Info] button at the top of that web page.<br /><br />Grommets are a darn good idea but they want to be mounted into a flat surface. If you will be drilling into aluminum pipe, they may not fit well. Also, rubber can age/crack/break rather quickly if exposed to uv.<br /><br />Alternatively, you can use some common, inexpensive rigid conduit. Have it bent then paint it before installing. Or use some non-metallic conduit like liquid-tite. It is very flexible, gray color, no problems with uv, 25-ft of 1/2-inch costs about $12 at Home Depot. Lots of options on how to attach it up under the top. Like UpNSmoke said, I’d angle the end fittings down to prevent water from running up into the conduit, tho it wouldn’t hurt anything if water got in if you use liquid-tite.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Wiring some spreader lights...

buy a small electricans fish tape at any home center for way less the 20 bucs.. 25/50 footer..<br /><br />run'er on thru the piping.. get stuck alittle in say an elbow ,, jiggle an twist the whole assembly an push.. it'll go.. <br /><br />just make sure the 'hook' is taped closed first..<br /><br />mite hafta drill ( hole saw ) larger holes here an there/strategicly.. as so to have access to get the fish tape out.. <br /><br />plug big holes with a ss steel fender washer , ss steel bolt ,an toggle ..<br /><br /><br />>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> another way <<<<<<<<<br /><br />if' the pipe work is pretty good sealed.. take off an end cap/drill a 1/2" hole at each end..<br /><br />take a shop vac.. duct tape nozzle a 3/8 " piece-o- copper tubing.. <br /><br />take small fishin' line .. take a baggie.. cut corner off baggies.. drop tiny pebble in corner .. ty on fish line.. pebble keeps knot..<br /><br />stuff in one hole .. suck the other..<br /><br /> <br /><br />drill grommet holes.. take coat hanger make small hook.. hook line an pull out to try on wires..

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Wiring some spreader lights...

To fish the wires through the tubing I would use cable. Standard multi-strand cable intended for say a garage door worked great on my arch when nothing else would work. originally I had mig welding wire run through it during the fab process to chase the wires but when that didn't work I tried using this cable and some WD-40 and it worked great. If the cable binds somwhere just spin it a little and it should free up.