Discuss A few tips needed in the Auto Electrician Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum
Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here:   American Electrical Advice Forum

Reaction score
3
I am making up a switch plinth for my classic car. The components will be as follows: a clock, an auxillary socket (for charging of mobile phone or lighting a cigarette even), a reversing switch, a map light switch. Will I need to individually fuse every component? Is it OK to splice all the earth wires into a single connection?
 
If you're running all the circuits from from the cars fuse box then they will probably need a fuse to work, yes...

Much like in a house, you wouldn't want one fuse to take out more than one circuit if it blew.
 
I wouldn't feed each item with a separate fuse. It is standard practice on low drain items to put more than one item on each fuse. Car radio/clock/interior light on same fuse for example.
 
As regards the socket . The traditional cigarette lighter was fused at 15 amps if my memory serves. The rest as @DPG, would be fine.
 
I wouldn't feed each item with a separate fuse. It is standard practice on low drain items to put more than one item on each fuse. Car radio/clock/interior light on same fuse for example.
Considering that I will have several items on the switch panel I guess that could apply to the earth cables also? Gathering ALL the earth wires into a single cable and then to earth?
On the subject of fuses, if an instrument such as the clock calls for a 3 amp fuse and all I have is 2 amp, will that give extra protection or just continuously blow?
 

Attachments

  • A few tips needed Switch plinth - EletriciansForums.net
    Switch plinth.jpg
    146.6 KB · Views: 2
A lower fuse may well rupture under normal use, it depends how much the clock actually takes. I would use the correct part for what it will cost.

I would probably share the earth, but make sure it is if decent thickness, and securely bolted to earth.
 
I wouldn't feed each item with a separate fuse. It is standard practice on low drain items to put more than one item on each fuse. Car radio/clock/interior light on same fuse for example.
So I could gather the cables for the clock (3 amp) and the map light (3 amp) and run them through a 3 amp fuse? I am planning on lighting the auxiliary plug and clock from the sidelight switch (1.2W bulbs) Should I fuse them also?
 
So I could gather the cables for the clock (3 amp) and the map light (3 amp) and run them through a 3 amp fuse? I am planning on lighting the auxiliary plug and clock from the sidelight switch (1.2W bulbs) Should I fuse them also?

It depends how much those items actually take. Use a multimeter to measure the current consumption of each item. Then add it up and allow a bit of headroom. This will give you an approximate fuse size.
 

Reply to A few tips needed in the Auto Electrician Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock