12V Wiring Question?

[Dances with Walleye]

Okay... So in the camper conversion thread of mine...

I'm about to start insulating, and I want to run some wires, so I can hook up some basic lights to 12V power... The lights don't come until later... I just want to get the wires in place at the same time that I'm insulating.

Went to HD last night and asked for some wire that could handle 12V... And I got a bunch of guys who were basically "Guessing" Their consensus was to wire up with some 12/3 wire...

But since they didn't seem all to confident I walked away, to err on the side of a more informed oppinion.

So I kind of want to start my 12V education from scratch, because those guys messed with my head.

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So I guess what I'm asking you guys, is "What wire would you use to wire up basic 12V lights, and a 12V fan?" AND "How would you wire it? All one long loop of wires, or would you run a wire to each light?"

Thanks in advance!

[GRAND DAD]

I quess if I was doing it I would just go get a roll of good speaker wire and be done with it. you get your ground and you postive and hookum up to a battery.

[IcemanMN]

12/3 is overkill unless your really drawing a lot of power. Speaker wire works. Don't go too thin though. I would say 14 or 16 would do the trick.

[Squirtis]

Just remember that when it comes to power consumption and wire guages, 12V will draw 10x the current for the same power draw as 120v, therefore it will need larger guage, but if you are using those LEDs that have been going around the boards lately (and I would suggest them), then get the lightest copper 2 conductor you can find and be done. Have fun!

[federline]

Yah, I wouldn't go thick unless you are going to run something like an RV forced air furnace (big fan motor, takes lots of juice). We used thicker (bigger than 18 guage) speaker wire for lights, computer fans, and cig lighter power outlets and it all goes to the battery box with a couple ring connectors on the end. Nothing whiz bang. Just remember to test polarity with a meter before you hook stuff up - the cig lighter outlets are polarity sensitive, as are fan directions.

[coldmark]

Another vote for good speaker wire, the beefier stuff.

[fishinalot]

16 gauge! Its heavy enough and it won't suck your battery dry.