Can't post in Electrical
NAPA work light 615W comes with an H3, 35 watt, 12 volt bulb and will draw 2.75 amps.

Light has a Positive and Ground, 18 gauge.

?What size wires should i run for hot and ground? I bought some 18ga. What size inline fuse should I use?

2 terminal or 3 terminal switch?

Light is mounted to a new BackRack.

2013 SCAB

Thanks,

Uparms

 

I would use 18 gauge (or 14 or 12 if I had it). A 5 amp fuse. 2 terminal switch. Get fancy with a lighted switch that lets you know when it's on OR lights up with your Dash Lights. (That won't be as easy but we can do it if you want!)


The Simple setup would be.


Battery>Fusebox HOT > inline fuse (as close as reasonable to fusebox or battery)>18 gauge wire>IN side of SWITCH>OUTPUT side of switch (rated 5 amps minimum)> 18 gauge wire>PositiveSide of light.
And then from the NegativeSide of light to convenient chassis ground (like the light mount bolt possibly?).


The sides of the switch and the light doesn't really matter. Light bulbs will work both ways (AS LONG AS NOTHING ELSE is on the circuit) If you use LED lights then it has to be exactly right or won't work.
Lenny



Thanks,

 

Ditto on what Lenny said. I'd also toss the following suggestions out...
1. I've found this table to be a good general guide for wiring size.
https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437
2. The general rule of thumb for fuse sizing that I am familiar with is ~125 % of the rated/nominal voltage, rounded up to the nearest normal fuse size. So for this application, 2.75 x 1.25 = 3.43, which would would ideally round up to 4, but if you can't find a 4A fuse a 5A fuse would work good too. Remember that an inline fuse only protects the wiring after the fuse, so place the fuse as close to the power connection (probably the battery) as possible.

Hope this helps.

Nate

 

You made no mention of the length of wire between power source and the fixture... How much voltage drop should you expect. That may change your desired wire gauge (not necessarily the fuse)