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wiring question

4K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  amerijeep 
#1 ·
ok....so i created this forum specifically for this question, but it seems like a good forum to have anyway. :D

i've got 4 50w fog lights wired underneath my jeep at the 4 corners. they are all wired to one switch. does anyone know what size fuse i need to make this a happy set up?
 
#2 ·
I should know this. Let me think.....

12v will go into 50w 4.16 times. That's for 4.16 amps. 4.16 Xs 4(the 4 lights) is 16.6. Your looking at 16.6 for your ampere draw, so a fuse close to that is about right.

Disclaimer: This is something I haven't applied in years. I make no guarantee that my memory and calculations aren't faulty. I do believe this to be correct though.

Jerry
 
#3 ·
I'm taking your word for it, amerijeep, and if I'm rollin down a trail and all the sudden my four lights burst into flames, I'm going to......ummmm......come up with a special title for you on this forum. yeah....take that! :D
but seriously...so a 20amp fuse should be just fine, right? thanks!!
 
#4 ·
I've had this on my mind since I posted last night. I double checked my math and think I have it right. I think that 20 amp fuse would be perfect. My figures were based on an exact 12 volt power supply. Generally, the voltage runs a little higher. If you have a multimeter, you could actually measure your exact amp draw and fuse accordingly, but this should take care of you.

Let me know how it goes. (unless you fry your electrical)
Good luck.

Jerry
 
#11 ·
If you use a relay rated for your amp draw, then you can use as small of switch as you want provided the contacts are rated high enough to pick the relay which is normally quite small. This way the relay will take the load instead of the switch. You will still want to use your correct fuse. Also this will keep you from having to run all of your heavy wires inside to your switch.

Donn
 
#12 ·
Good info. And I can tell you from experience to use the relay. I had to melt a dash switch to learn the hard way.
 
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