AUX Switch Amperage - Increase?

[Neigh]

Bought 2 Hella 500 Halogen driving lights, 55W each. So 110 total. Would 10A auxiliary be enough or use relay?

110W @ 12v = 9.16A so you're under the 10A of the aux switches right there.

The good news is that your electrical system isn't usually running at 12v, it is typically higher between 13v and 14v which brings it down to 8.46A to 7.85A.

If it were mine, I'd wire it to the aux switch to keep the circuit simple and the wire runs short. If blowing fuses becomes a problem you can always add a relay later.

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[CalvinT]

110W @ 12v = 9.16A so you're under the 10A of the aux switches right there.

The good news is that your electrical system isn't usually running at 12v, it is typically higher between 13v and 14v which brings it down to 8.46A to 7.85A.

If it were mine, I'd wire it to the aux switch to keep the circuit simple and the wire runs short. If blowing fuses becomes a problem you can always add a relay later.

Your fog lights will be brighter if you use the aux switch to control a relay. You'll have less voltage drop than you'd get with the stock wiring. I haven't done the math, but I'm willing to bet you'll measure a one volt difference.

 

[Neigh]

Your fog lights will be brighter if you use the aux switch to control a relay. You'll have less voltage drop than you'd get with the stock wiring. I haven't done the math, but I'm willing to bet you'll measure a one volt difference.

OP is using halogens so I'm thinking brightness isn't the top priority here.

 

[CalvinT]

OP is using halogens so I'm thinking brightness isn't the top priority here.

Halogens are more sensitive to voltage than LEDs. So they need all the help they can get.

 

[Lifeliberty]

OP is using halogens so I'm thinking brightness isn't the top priority here.

Trying them out for the heat to melt snow

 

[CalvinT]

Trying them out for the heat to melt snow

Seems funny, but makes sense. When LED traffic lights first came on the scene they'd get covered with snow until the manufacturers started including heaters.

 

[Neigh]

Trying them out for the heat to melt snow

I suspect they'll work quite well in that regard.

 

[P_Baff]

I’m assuming Ford did their litigation homework to determine they’re protected but running anywhere close to 30 amps on any more than a couple feet of 16awg wire (~1.5mm) seems sketchy.

Even though all of the stuff I’m running via the switches are within the stated amperage I still have a few of the switches run to an additional relay and heavy duty wiring

This has bothered me for quite some time. I have a Baja Designs XL Roof Light Kit that draws 16 amps. I used the AUX 1 switch to power the right-hand visor non-powered circuit and used that to connect the roof light kit. The wiring on behind each BD light gets VERY warm. I ran it for 10+ mins to see if I could get the fuse to blow or wiring to get excessively warm/ hot. It hasn't failed yet but it definitely raised a concern.

Anyone else have experience with the BD XL Roof Light Kit or the non-powered circuit at the right visor mirror?

 

[Baja Designs]

This has bothered me for quite some time. I have a Baja Designs XL Roof Light Kit that draws 16 amps. I used the AUX 1 switch to power the right-hand visor non-powered circuit and used that to connect the roof light kit. The wiring on behind each BD light gets VERY warm. I ran it for 10+ mins to see if I could get the fuse to blow or wiring to get excessively warm/ hot. It hasn't failed yet but it definitely raised a concern.

Anyone else have experience with the BD XL Roof Light Kit or the non-powered circuit at the right visor mirror?

It will be recommended to power it directly to the Aux switch wires and not the roof circuit.

Best,
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