Electric wiring help!

[carpsniperg2]

Alright thanks. I have some 25's and 30's as well if the 20 won't run the light.

Thanks for the help everyone. If anything else has anything to add please feel free.

[Ridgeratt]

Well if your running a 75 watt lamp it should draw some where around 6.25 amps.
So you could get by with a 10 amp fuse. I would run # 14 wire if I was doing it.

 

[carpsniperg2]

I think the wires are either 12 or 14g. Are the fuses rated in watts or amps?

[Ridgeratt]

fuses are in amps. If the wire is 12 you are golden for size! 

[christopheri]

Well if your running a 75 watt lamp it should draw some where around 6.25 amps.
So you could get by with a 10 amp fuse. I would run # 14 wire if I was doing it.

 

This is true. You divide 75 by 12 to get your amps... #14 wire is plenty big enough to handle the load.

[carpsniperg2]

Thanks guys! I always thought there were rated in watts for some reason. So the 20 should be more then enough. Should I maybe drop down to 15? or will 20 pop before I damage the wire or light?

[Ridgeratt]

Thanks guys! I always thought there were rated in watts for some reason. So the 20 should be more then enough. Should I maybe drop down to 15? or will 20 pop before I damage the wire or light?

If it draws 6.25 amps a 10 amp fuse will put you  30% over.

[carpsniperg2]

O.k I will get some lighter fuses then.

[Ridgeratt]

Hey it's your truck!!! 

Bigger is not always Better! Despite what you have been told!

[carpsniperg2]

  That's why I asking the experts Rather pop a couple extra fuses then toast my 200.00 lights

[Ridgeratt]

Far from an Expert. Maybe I should retract my statement's.

What I know about electricity is if you get to close it Hurts!!!

I have referances on both statement's,

[carpsniperg2]

It all sounds right by what others are saying as well. So I think you are onto something for sure. Lighter is always better with fuses. I learned that a long time ago. I know my trucks all have 20 amp fuses rigged for the factory dc plug in's. So I guess that was my thinking behind the 20 amps.

[Ridgeratt]

Just don't forget your safety glasses and welding hood when ya use it the first time. 

[carpsniperg2]

 

[Fishmasterdan]

Just a small note to remember. A resistive load will increase in amps as wire length increases.
Example;
A spot light is a resistive load (unless its LED). If you run 30' of wire your voltage drop will be 6% at 7amps and increasing your amps equally by 6%. Your light will be dim if you use light gauge wire.
This is very important to remember if using 12 volts and run 30' of wire or more.

Basically what I am trying to say is use #12 or larger wire if you are running to your battery. And its the length of both positive and negative. Current in DC flows from neg to positive.