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I have a basic circuit diagram: 12V system, 4 lights, (bike lighting).
Anyhow, I dont have experience with soldering multiple wires together.
My question is do I just solder 4 switches and the positive lead together. (i.e. how do I solder 5 wires together?)
I know there are terminal blocks, but its just a bunch of lights... er how do I solder 5 wires together?
Just twist all 5 wires together and apply some solder? It seems like a mess to deal with if something goes wrong, (but quite easy to put together initially).
Also there is the fuse. Can I just now twist 6 wires together and solder them together? Seems the fuse should be first off the battery, but given there is only 1 positive pole/1 negative pole... does that distinction even apply? In a 1 pole system, are all components the same distance from battery? Conceptually, they are, but how about in real-world situation.
Again, I don't have practical experience with soldering circuits. Further I've misplaced my breadboard so cannot do a quick mock-up make sure lights turn on off, and battery doesn't overheat, etc. and that is adding to my hesitation.
One last question, why are the switch and light wires so thin (high gauge). I calculated, that with total watt approx. 60W @ 12V, puts it at 5A running a few feet, 18G would suffice. Can the wires in the switch-box be higher-gauge (thinner)? Dealing with thick 18G wire will be a pain if it turns out I cant just wire everything off one pole.
Anyhow, sorry for naive questions (I have bread-boarded 8-bit adders in years past... er but am new to soldering...)
All advice is welcome.