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Always on USB: Aluminum & Copper wire

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Tallyn91, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. Oct 16, 2020 at 10:43 PM
    #1
    Tallyn91

    Tallyn91 [OP] New Member

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    Put in my start-x remote start today (highly recommend so far, btw) and decided to wire up my always on USB while I had it all torn apart.
    The positive wire that I'm taking to the fuse box was just a little short. That wire is an aluminum wire and I have more wire, same gauge, but its either copper or CCA.
    I know in bigger projects such as those requiring 0g that combining the two can potentially cause an issue.
    Is there anything to worry about connecting the two on such a small amp platform?

    Sure I can just go by more aluminum wire but knowledge is power and I'm kind of curious regardless
     
  2. Oct 16, 2020 at 11:20 PM
    #2
    Roborob70

    Roborob70 New Member

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    Aside from galvanic corrosion and the fact that aluminum is a poorer conductor than copper, I wouldn't do it. Run copper your amp wont work as hard...
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  3. Oct 17, 2020 at 7:57 AM
    #3
    Tallyn91

    Tallyn91 [OP] New Member

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    It's not for an amp. Just a little 14 or 16 gauge wire from USB to the fuse box. Thats why I was curious if it would cause any issue since it's such a small wire and amperage
     
  4. Oct 17, 2020 at 6:53 PM
    #4
    Roborob70

    Roborob70 New Member

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    My apologies, nevertheless you will still have galvanic corrosion, but i think it would be negligible at best.
     
  5. Oct 17, 2020 at 8:41 PM
    #5
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Not gonna matter when you are pulling 2amps max from a usb charger.
     
  6. Oct 17, 2020 at 9:17 PM
    #6
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    Over time, the galvanic corrosion will create more resistance in the circuit, leading eventually to a broken circuit. This will take awhile but something to consider.
     
  7. Oct 19, 2020 at 5:50 PM
    #7
    Stig

    Stig New Member

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    X2. Good job by the OP to at least ask the question. Most people wouldn't even know to look into it.

    Do it right so you can do it once. Certain metals don't like to be in contact!
     

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