Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
 
Old 25 November 2009, 11:18   #1
Member
 
Country: India
Town: Mumbai
Boat name: Pathfinder
Make: Zodiac
Length: 7m +
Engine: 2 X Yamaha F115s
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 66
Wiring for a handheld searchlight

Hi there.

I was mulling wiring options for a handheld searchlight with a 50 Watt Halogen bulb.

The light came with a 2 pin socket which I suppose was intended to be mounted on the console.

I would like to avoid drilling additional holes unless absolutely necessary. Now, I have a 12 V accessory socket which is fitted on the console (standard fitment by zodiac) and would like to power the light through it if possible.

I got a dummy male connecter (std. cigarrette lighter adaptor size) with neg & pos. leads that i connected to the two pin socket which came with the light. Then I plugged in the light and switched it on. Seemed to work absolutely fine for about 5 mins.

I did not notice any unusual heating on the wires that were connected to the socket.

Is this setup ok for long term use? What is the current consumption of such hand held searchlights and will the wiring leading up to the 12V socket on the console be able to take such loads?

Cheers
Shahid
__________________
shahid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 11:30   #2
Member
 
ashbypower's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Salisbury
Boat name: Blue C
Make: XS 600
Length: 6m +
Engine: 125hp Opti
MMSI: 235082826/235909566
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,439
Hi, Ohms law
W/V= I therfore you are taking 4.15 amps nominal.
Cannot answer if the wiring will take it as depends on what wire gauge has been used.
__________________
Brian C
APS Marine Centre
ashbypower is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 11:31   #3
Member
 
Ian M's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: New Milton
Boat name: Jianna
Make: Osprey
Length: 6m +
Engine: 200 E-TEC
MMSI: 235076954
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,940
Watts=volts x amps
Therefore your light is drawing a theoretical current of 4.2 amps.
We will need to know what the gauge of the wiring to your socket is before any informed comments can be made.
__________________
Ian

Dust creation specialist
Ian M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 11:36   #4
Member
 
ashbypower's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Salisbury
Boat name: Blue C
Make: XS 600
Length: 6m +
Engine: 125hp Opti
MMSI: 235082826/235909566
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,439
Hi Ian typing is slow today !!!
Hope your well
__________________
Brian C
APS Marine Centre
ashbypower is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 11:45   #5
Member
 
Ian M's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: New Milton
Boat name: Jianna
Make: Osprey
Length: 6m +
Engine: 200 E-TEC
MMSI: 235076954
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,940
Quote:
Originally Posted by ashbypower View Post
Hi Ian typing is slow today !!!
Hope your well
Ah, its not the typing, its the little grey cells
I'm fine thanks, hope everything is OK with you.
__________________
Ian

Dust creation specialist
Ian M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 12:25   #6
Member
 
Country: India
Town: Mumbai
Boat name: Pathfinder
Make: Zodiac
Length: 7m +
Engine: 2 X Yamaha F115s
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 66
Thanks for the replies guys...

Will open the socket to inspect the wiring today. But don't you think the standard wiring installed by the manufacturer would at least take a 4 amp load?
__________________
shahid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 21:15   #7
Member
 
Jizm's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Southampton
Boat name: Hissing Sid
Make: Ross Smith Cobra
Length: 6m +
Engine: 200HP Optimax
MMSI: 235038046
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by shahid View Post
Thanks for the replies guys...

Will open the socket to inspect the wiring today. But don't you think the standard wiring installed by the manufacturer would at least take a 4 amp load?
Wouldn't like to comment on the current wiring without seeing it first.

If you use a proper marine accessory socket and wire it from the battery via a 15A fuse with 1.5mm cable (pref tinned marine) it will be adequate for 10A and handy to charge mobiles etc.
Jizm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 November 2009, 22:28   #8
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Bucks
Boat name: Spare Rib
Make: Zodiac/Bombard
Length: 6m +
Engine: 90hp Yamaha
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 157
Quote:
Originally Posted by shahid View Post
Thanks for the replies guys...

Will open the socket to inspect the wiring today. But don't you think the standard wiring installed by the manufacturer would at least take a 4 amp load?
Yes. It's unlikely the wiring installed is less than 1mm.sq., which is good for 9 amps. However, do check and for any other load on the same circuit.
__________________
Tim Spring
Observer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 02:44.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.