Hi All,

Planning my Light Bar build and apart from the metal fabrication (and avoiding the plastic jobby snorkel), I would like some advice with regards to wiring the lights. I have five 55 watt lamps to mount and want to make sure that I use the correct rated cable.

Using the I=P/V formula and that the five lamps would equal 275 watts I end up with a total amperage of just uder 23 Amps. So given that 2.0mm2 is rated at 25 Amps (and that I should allow a safe working usage of the cable), would I be safe enough using 3.0mm2, rated at 33 Amps, or should I be doubling the calcualtion and looking for cable rated at least 46 Amps?

....and yes I plan to wire in relays to protect the switch and also to disable when dipped hewdlights are on.

Any advice welcome!

Cheers

Phil

I know this site is for solar panels but they explain 12v cable sizes very well. Go into fuse size and voltage drop.

Solar Panel Information | SolarPanelWiringDiagrams | CablesAndFuses

The question is how are you going to wire them up, all daisy changed together a goup of 2/3, all separate.

I'd go for the 3mm, daisy chained to avoid multiple wiring. I'd also run the wire inside flexible corrugated conduit to the relay site. Be careful to avoid any chafing where it passes through the bodywork.

Thanks Mcclegend, useful site...I will analyse more.

Good questions, I hadnt thought of wiring them in seperate clusters, which would reduce the load on the cables.........

Thanks Zeaphod....Yep 3mm was my thought....good tips.

Cheers

Phil