Fuse for 12v socket?

[S L Dave]

Hey guys,
I am going to drill a hole in my dash for a 12V socket (maybe 2). Mostly will be used for charging the phone, but will also be used for a handheld spotlight, radio, perhaps some other temp lighting for nighttime harbor cruising or lobstering.

What fuse would you guys use for this socket?

Thanks

[AlloyToy]

Hi SL Dave, Do you know how many watts the handheld light is? I would calculate off of that as it will be your largest load draw....

[skfmj]

Dave,

Alternatively you can fuse it for the maximum rating for the socket you are installing. For example Blue Sea Systems (ttp://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C ... id=1187549) socket is rated for a maximum of 15 amps. So I would install it on a circuit fused for 15 amps. Be sure to install a sufficient gauge wire to handle the current draw at 15 amps (12 gauge is easily sufficient). Doing it this way will not protect any individual item you may plug in but if you plug in more than one you will probably not exceed the 15 amp limit. It is like the way your home outlets are wired.

Richard

[welder]

Most power points are 10 amps.

Like said above, it depends on what amp socket you get , the amp rating is on the packaging and of course wire according.

[S L Dave]

Thanks guys! The package says 14 ga wire, but no fuse info. I think that 10amp should serve it well. AT, the handheld spotlight will be fine for that fuse also.

[welder]

Use at least 12 ga. wire [ Tin Coated ] and make sure the Ground wire is the same.

[AlloyToy]

Dave think about the location of the plug. Mine was installed by Pacific and it is under the steering wheel between the fuse & switch panel......sucks there. Every time I answer the phone on the troll and the phone is plugged in to the socket the cord winds up in the steering wheel....same goes for the spot light cord.....just my 2 cents

[IronwoodIsland]

Dave

In addition to what was said above, all true, the fuse size is determined by the safe ampacity (capacity) of the wire which in addition to the size (wire gauge), depends on the insulation type (temp rise, number of wires in the bundle etc.). The idea is to choose a fuse small enough that it melts before your wire does. This means that the circuit is thus automatically protected from the worst thing that can happen (a short circuit).

Google something like "table of 12 v wire size vs fuse size" to choose your fuse.

Cheers and happy power pointing

[S L Dave]

Thanks...the internet is amazing. I googled exactly what you wrote and found a bunch of fuse/wire ga. tables.