Wire Sizer

Here's a chart to consider when sizing wire for a starter application:

Wire Gauge AWG	Maximum length in feet for maximum ½ volt drop (12V system)
Wire Gauge AWG	1	2	4	6	8	10	12	15	20	50	100	200
20	106	53	26	17	13
18	150	75	37	25	18	15	12
16	224	112	56	37	28	22	18	14
14	362	181	90	60	45	36	30	24	18
12	572	286	143	95	71	57	47	38	28
10	908	454	227	151	113	90	75	60	45
8	1452	726	363	241	181	145	120	96	72	29
6	2342	1171	585	390	292	234	194	155	117	46	23
4	3702	1851	925	616	462	370	307	246	185	76	37
2	6060	3030	1515	1009	757	606	503	403	303	121	60	30
1	7692	3846	1923	1280	961	769	638	511	384	153	76	38
0	9708	4854	2427	1616	1213	970	805	645	485	194	97	48

How to use this chart:

	Start with the length of your total cable run. Remember with plastic (errr...we mean, "composite") airplanes, your cable run will be TWICE the distance between the battery and starter.
	Find your cable run length at the top of the chart
	Follow that column downward until you reach the first yellow shaded box
	Follow that box's row to the left to find the recommended wire gauge for your application
	Remember: Bigger is better and only marginally heavier. If you want a little extra peace of mind, size your gauge "up" (downward on the chart) one wire gauge size.

Example:

Les is setting up an old Champ for electric start. He wants to locate the starter behind the back seat. The airframe will provide a ground. The total wire run is 10 feet. The first yellow shaded box suggests he us 4 AWG cable. If his Champ had a high compression Lyc. 320, he'd probably want to size that "up" to 2 AWG cable. But he's using the original C75-12, with the Sky-Tec C12ST2/S so 6 AWG cable would suffice (draws less than 200 amps). But for peace of mind and a little elbow room, he sticks with the recommended 4 AWG cable.

Remember:

	ALL the cables need to be the recommended gauge. An electrical circuit, like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest link.
	And don't forget the engine ground(s)!


	We Fly Behind them AND We Stand Behind Them Too Sky-Tec starters have a very successful service record in the industry. All Sky-Tec starters are engineered to exceed 2700 hours of service before requiring overhaul.


	Proof in Numbers Of the more than 70,000 Sky-Tec starters currently flying, fewer than 5% come in each year for maintenance. Nearly all of these are worn-out and simply need repair/overhaul or are victims of kickbacks or overcranks. Unit failure rates (first two years of service) run less one quarter of a percent of all starters.

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Wire Gauge AWG