WellWhoKnows
New Member
- Posts
- 39
- Location
- Thurrock, Essex
I recently replaced the light master switch as the origional one had disintegrated (with age I think), I purchased a replacement switch and installed that, all lights appear to be working well although I hadnt done any real night driving until yesterday.
After about 25 minutes of driving I suddenly lost all lights, this was slightly disconcerting as I was passing parked cars on a narrow road! A quick thump of the dash and the lights came back on. Pulling up where I could I found that the switch itself now didnt have any spring to it and I couldnt turn the lights off.
On examination I found the back of the switch to be smoldering and was too hot to handle, so a quick bodge to get me home the last mile or so and I was left to ponder all that advice I had read before intalling Halogen lights to replace the original units and how you should use a relay!
My question is, should I try an source that can handle the added watts from the Halogen lights or do the harder task and put a relay into the circuit?
My calculations are as follows 2x55w Halogen + 2x5w sidelights + 2x5w rear lights = 130watts therefore 10.8 amps potential draw, adding 25% for safety I would need a switch that can handle 14amps.
After about 25 minutes of driving I suddenly lost all lights, this was slightly disconcerting as I was passing parked cars on a narrow road! A quick thump of the dash and the lights came back on. Pulling up where I could I found that the switch itself now didnt have any spring to it and I couldnt turn the lights off.
On examination I found the back of the switch to be smoldering and was too hot to handle, so a quick bodge to get me home the last mile or so and I was left to ponder all that advice I had read before intalling Halogen lights to replace the original units and how you should use a relay!
My question is, should I try an source that can handle the added watts from the Halogen lights or do the harder task and put a relay into the circuit?
My calculations are as follows 2x55w Halogen + 2x5w sidelights + 2x5w rear lights = 130watts therefore 10.8 amps potential draw, adding 25% for safety I would need a switch that can handle 14amps.
