I have an stc 1000 wired with 18ga. Its recommended from what ive read to use a larger wire. Ive been using the unit so far just as a thermometer but id like to connect it to my freezer. Looking at the freezer power cord, it also appears to be 18ga wire. Why is it that i would need to use a heavier wire on my controller, when the power cord of the freezer is only 18ga to begin with?
stc 1000 18awg
- Thread starter Munchkin
- Start date
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18 ga will work. Its rated at 7 amps in a 3 wire cable at 30C (86F). That should run a freezer. The problem with 18 ga is that its probably stranded which makes it a little hard to handle, particularly with the closely spaced terminal block in the STC-1000. If the cable frays, it could easily short.
16 ga is rated at 10 amps, thats what I used. Using solid conductors, its bendable and it doesnt fray. You can buy it at a good hardware store by the foot. Expensive, but cheaper than buying a box or a reel if you only need a few feet.
16 ga is rated at 10 amps, thats what I used. Using solid conductors, its bendable and it doesnt fray. You can buy it at a good hardware store by the foot. Expensive, but cheaper than buying a box or a reel if you only need a few feet.
Could you not twist and tin the 18ga with solder?
awesome thanks for clearing that up, overloading the wiring was my primary concern. Its stranded and I did a decent job at wrapping it around the terminal. I plan on building another unit so i will be sure to use solid 16ga for the next one. I guess i could have used a soldered ring terminal connector, but ill swap this unit for the 16ga one just to be on the safe side.
