iPhone Wire Gauge Calculator

[Cory B]

Hello all,

This isn't specifically Ericson related, but you can use it on your Ericson.

To see what the process was like for developing an iPhone/iPad App and getting it into the
Apple App Store, I wrote a simple wire gauge & voltage drop calculator. I think its intuitive and easy to use, but then again I'm biased.

You can find WireSizer in the App Store for free and ad-free at "http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wiresizer/id494748550". Unfortunately it does require IOS 5, so it won't run on some older phones.

My inspiration was that I was tired of trying to guess wire sizes from the tiny graph in the West Marine catalog whenever I rewired something.


Full disclosure: I do software/technology stuff for a living and wrote WireSizer, but I'm not making penny off the current version of the App - it actually cost me money for the developer license to be able to put it in the app store.

 

[Loren Beach]

No room in our budget for the calling plan that goes with the iPhone, at this time... but we're close to buying an iPod Touch. (We just bought a new Tacoma with a USB input and that model is listed as supported...)
:nerd:

Sounds like a nifty little app.
Thanks for the info.
Loren

 

[MarkA]

Downloading as I type. Full review after some beers!

 

[MarkA]

Cool app, but I would pay $$ if you added a load capacity calculator!I give you the voltage, load, distance, and you give me temp and wire gauge and voltage drop.-mark

 

[Maine Sail]

Hello all,

This isn't specifically Ericson related, but you can use it on your Ericson.

To see what the process was like for developing an iPhone/iPad App and getting it into the
Apple App Store, I wrote a simple wire gauge & voltage drop calculator. I think its intuitive and easy to use, but then again I'm biased.

You can find WireSizer in the App Store for free and ad-free at "http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wiresizer/id494748550". Unfortunately it does require IOS 5, so it won't run on some older phones.

My inspiration was that I was tired of trying to guess wire sizes from the tiny graph in the West Marine catalog whenever I rewired something.


Full disclosure: I do software/technology stuff for a living and wrote WireSizer, but I'm not making penny off the current version of the App - it actually cost me money for the developer license to be able to put it in the app store.

What calculations was it based on? Did you use the E-11 standard for the programming?

For those without an iPhone there are a bunch of VD calcs out there based on the ABYC E-11 standards.

http://genuinedealz.com/voltage-drop.html

http://circuitwizard.bluesea.com/

http://boatstuff.awardspace.com/awgcalc.html


These can be book marked on any web enabled smart phone. I use them in the field regularly with my Android phone......

P.S. I tried to download to my iPad but it says I need iOS 5.. Now I need to figure that out....

 

[Maine Sail]

Cory,

I just downloaded it and it is quite cool and has a great interface. There do seem to be some sizing oddities though.

As an example I plugged in 12V / 200A / 8ft Circuit Length and for a 2% voltage drop it comes up with 3/0 AWG wire

When I use the Blue Sea, ABYC voltage drop formula, or other calculators I get a 1.6% voltage drop and 1GA wire over an 8 foot circuit @ 200A..

That could be an expensive discrepancy for someone who used the calculator and came up with 3/0 vs. 1GA. While bigger is always better it is also expensive when it comes to large GA copper...

You might want to cross check it against the Blue Sea, Genuinedealz or eMarine calculators in the above post..

 

[Cory B]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback.

Loren - I don't have an iPhone either, but I do have an iPod Touch and iPad.

Mark - Interesting idea.

MS - I spotchecked different voltages and came up ok, but you are right there is a large discrepancy in the example you gave. I'll look into it. Can't trust free apps, can you?

 

[Loren Beach]

An Added Feature!

Perhaps you just need to incorporate a layer of Butyl Tape in it somewhere..........
(Sorry, Maine, couldn't resist!)



Loren

 

[Maine Sail]

MS - I spotchecked different voltages and came up ok, but you are right there is a large discrepancy in the example you gave. I'll look into it. Can't trust free apps, can you?

I'm sure it's something simple in the math. Very cool app though!!!

 

[Cory B]

bug fix

You know the old adage "A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client"? There should be similar one for software, "A software developer who relys exclusively on himself to test his program is asking for trouble".

I had a made a last minute change that caused the over-estimation of wire sizes. The bug fix was uploaded to Apple over the weekend, and hopefully Apple will get in the store by next weekend.

Update 2/11/12: The version with the bug fixed is in the App store. Anyone who already downloaded it should automatically recieve the fix when they "sync" next.

 

[Cory B]

Updated - ABYC E11 Conforming

Well, I think I might *almost* know as much about voltage drop as Maine Sail now.

Everything should now conform to ABYC E11 (if you have 105C rated wire and don't bundle 3 or more wires).

Not only will WireSizer calculate the voltage drop, but also check the maximum "Ampacity" of the wire. I also added a switch to perform "Inside" versus "Outside" engine compartment calculations . Whew!

App Store link is here.

I couldn't figure out how to incorporate Butyl Tape. Gotta save something for the next version.



Update 3/5/2012: I'm going to convert WireSizer to a 99cent App in a couple of days. As with all apps, if you already have it installed you are grandfathered in.

Update 4/15/2012: Added support for metric circuit lengths and wire sizes, and created "informational" page at www.WireSizer.com. I have a few promo codes if any members of EYO want to try it out. PM me via this website.