Voltage drop an issue with small 12v and low amp stuff?

I have a sony bullet camera and when I move the power adapter (switching) far away by extending the wire, It can,t power up the camera. Is voltage drop really an issue with such a small device? if yes, where do I find the formula for 12v stuff.

Reply to
NN
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What distance are we talking ??? Tell us more .

Reply to
kip

Reply to
M Berger

"NN" wrote in news:1155153647.457201.225090 @i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

Well, yes, evidently the camera is drawing enough current that the voltage drop is too large with the wire size you're using. Just try a larger size wire. For an application like this, the wire can be too small, but it can't be too large.

Reply to
Jim Land

I putting it on a 30 to 45 foot pole and power unit would be cumbersome with it , so the best I can do is put it at the base. So 30 to 45 feet.

Reply to
NN

Do you get a reliable reading without the load. I know that it applies to batteries charged but I not sure here. I guess it could be just as easily measured with the carmera attached.

Reply to
NN

Ok , all points to needing larger guage wire, I have a lot of phone wire with 4 strands, can I use two strands per connection to double the size? For example, does a 6 gauge wire behave the same way as two insulated 3 gauge wires use together?

Reply to
NN

"NN" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

Yes, but the other way around. (6 gauge wire is *smaller* than 3 gauge wire.) Two 6 gauge wires connected in parallel will give the same voltage drop as one 3 gauge wire. (Assuming American Wire Gauge.)

However, your telephone wire is likely to be more like 26 or 28 gauge, fine for carrying telephone conversations, but very small for carrying current to your camera. Try something a lot larger, like 18 gauge (the wire for an electric lamp) or 16 (an extension cord) or 14 (house wiring).

Reply to
Jim Land

Yes , I got it the sizes reversed.

Thankyou for all the help leading to the solution

Reply to
NN

35 feet... youve just answered your own question. Try using mains cable, phone wire wont be much use.

NT

Reply to
meow2222

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