Newbie- Super easy question: Bipolar Parallel - Splice wires at the motor or at the driver?

[Hirudin]

I tried searching, but couldn't find an answer to this question. The title says it all, but let me explain further...

I have some Keling "KL23H276-30-8B" steppers and some Gecko 203V drivers that I'd like to connect using bipolar parallel. I plan to run the motors at their rated current (~4.2 amps in bipolar parallel) at 48 volts.

I bought some 18 AWG - 4 wire cable and am looking to run the cable about 1 to 2 feet.

Should I run 2 of these cables between the motors and the drivers (in other words: should I run 8 - 18 AWG wires the whole distance)?
OR
Can I run just a single cable between the motors and the drivers (in other words: will 4 - 18 AWG wires be enough to transfer the required power between the motors and drivers)?

I'd like to wire these motors the "best" way. But if it doesn't make any difference I'd prefer just a single cable between the geckos and the kelings.

Thanks a bunch!

[CarveOne]

I connected mine together at the motor leads and then ran four #18 wires to my Xylotex control board for the following reason:

If you extend the eight wires to the control board before tying them together in bipolar parallel you would greatly increase the effective inductance of each coil that is wired in parallel. The long wires on each end of a given motor coil become additional inductors in series with each motor coil.

In my case, the motor wires are around six feet long.

CarveOne

[Hirudin]

That sounds like some good thinking; thanks!

Is 4.2 amps too much for 18 ga wire though?

[bobsch]

Originally Posted by Hirudin That sounds like some good thinking; thanks! Is 4.2 amps too much for 18 ga wire though?

According to this chart it should work (For a short run).

http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Wire-Gauge_Ampacity

[Hirudin]

Cool!

I searched a little, but the "Maximum Amps for Power Transmission" on charts like this...
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/...gage/index.htm
scared me a little.

I am relieved to see the explanation of the "conservative" numbers on the above site.