Wire Size

[Don___Barb_Bogu]

We tow our 5 th wheel with a 1999 Ford F250 Diesel (The good one a 7.3 ) I recently went on O-2 . The O-2 generator uses Lithium Batteries, and comes with a plug so the batteries will remain charged while traveling. Have herd of some fires because the Automotive wires were to small and overheated. I figure we need at least 14 Ga. wire. These batteries are 17 volt, so that is a heck of a pull on a 12 volt system. I have a new alt. and batteries on the truck. I may have to replace a wire that has never ben used....

[Bobbo]

We have asked over and over how many amps it pulls. Unless and until the OP answers that question, all of our guesses are completely meaningless.

[mkirsch]

First off, we are talking about a PORTABLE O2 unit here. It runs off batteries. Specifications for home units are meaningless.

Second off, the batteries may be 17V, but the unit has an integrated charger with solid state voltage booster circuitry in it. Probably similar to the chargers we use for model airplanes, which are capable of charging large 10-cell lithuim batteries up to 42V from a 12V source.

Shooting from the hip, I would use 10ga wire.

[lawrosa]

delete....Duplicate

[lawrosa]

Most aux cig lighters are 20-25 amps in the trucks. Dont plug into the actual cig lighter but the aux only...

My specs I gave is for a latest and greatest 0-2 gen..

I dont think you need to upgrade the wire on that aux jack.. Pluse the aux jack is fused. You would just blow the fuse in the truck if there was an issue..

Plus its a step up transformer I belive that comes with them...

Specs from DC power cord...

DC Input: 13.5 - 15V ==== 10A Max
DC Output 19V === 5A

and specs from a/c cord

Input: 100 - 240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
Output: 19 VDC, up to 90W

I myself on my way to florida had a 120 watt inverter plugged into mine running a dell laptop for my son in the back seat... That aux jack on my silverado is 25 amps...

Im sure his truck as well as all have 10 gauge wire from that outlet...

[pianotuna]

Hi GordonThree,

My measurements on an o2 concentrator show 450 watts of demand @120 volts. 450 watts/ 12 volts = 37.5 amps. That's why I wanted thicker cable.

Has the OP stated the amperage or wattage of the unit in use?

[theoldwizard1]

Actually, marine grade "primary" wire is the best. Each strand is pre-tinned so it will never corrode. Primary wire is limited to about 60V but they do make the equivalent of a marine, pre-tinned, stranded Romex (NM-B) at can be used for 120V AC circuits.

More expensive than standard electrical wire (MT, THHWn or THWN) but IMHO worth the cost. You can buy reasonable lengths on eBay.

Cigar/cigarette lighter sockets and plugs are about the worst tyoe of connectors for 12VDC "appliances". Anderson Power Poles would be 1000 time better !

[Bobbo]

I concur with 12g stranded THWN wire. (THWN is THNN that is rated for wet locations. Most THNN wire is also THWN rated.) You never answered the question about how many amps the unit pulls. That is necessary information to get reliable answers here. Wire is rated by how many amps it carries rather than how many volts it carries. (Most wire is rated 600v.)

[BenK]

Wire current rating is NOT absolute...like the max tow weight rating of a TV

There are several conditions: free air (there are specs as to what “free air” temp is at...not what is in an engine bay), or three conductors in a cable tray, Etc...

Then the insulation ratin, both in amperes and at some temp. Like load rating of a tire

This has to do with the wires ability to reject heat.

Suggest going with a min of 12 gauge, multi stranded, MTW. THNN would be better.

Connections also play and recommend ring lugs, torqued to spec.

[time2roll]

Depends on length. The standard RV 12v cigar connector is rated 8 amps.

[GordonThree]

6 or 8 gauge cable is unnecessary for a 10 -15 amp load and just making it harder to install.

I'm a fan of overkill but only within reason.

[lawrosa]

Found this too...

Ensure that the automobile power socket is adequately fused for the Inogen
One® G4 power requirements (minimum 15 Amp). If the power socket cannot
support a 15 Amp load,the fuse may blow or the socket may be damaged.

[lawrosa]

I read this on a typical O-2 gen.

Yes they have dc cig adapter.

:

AC Input: 100 to 240VAC
50 to 60Hz
Auto-Sensing: 1.0A
DC Power Cable DC Input: 13.5-15.5VDC,10A Max.
Rechargeable Battery: Voltage: 12.0 to 16.8VDC

[pianotuna]

Does the Oxygen concentrator come with a 12 volt plug?

I would not go with #14 wire. #8 or even #6 may be better.

[GordonThree]

I had a family member that we went traveling with, using a portable concentrator. The 12v cord became noticably warm during use, so it was pulling some amps.

I wouldn't worry about automotive wires catching fire, they're protected against that by fuses. Although almost 20 year old vehicle, connections could be worn?

If this is long term, consider having a heavy 12v outlet put in, using 10 ga wire and a 30 amp fuse, right off the car battery.