Maximum Wattage for headlights?
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Maximum Wattage for headlights?
What is the maximum wattage bulb the headlight wiring can handle as i just received a set of rogue low rise lights and it comes with 55w bulbs as standard but i want as much light as possible so would like to put 85w in if possible, also has anyone put higher wattage bulbs in the rogue kit?
Re: Maximum Wattage for headlights?
Ohms Law!
For reference, have a look at the cable on a mains extention lead.
In the UK the maximum output from a wall socket is supposed to be 13A.
The wire in an extension lead needs to be strong enough to put up with a full 13A going through it.
If I recall correctly, the size of wire fitted in extension leads should be 2.5mm2 size. Dunno what that is in SWG.
Anyway, that gives you an idea of what size wire you need to feed 13A through.
Now we need to do some sums.
There's a calculator here: http://www.the12volt.com/ohm/ohmslaw.asp
For standard headlight:-
I=P/V
I=55/12
I=4.6 Amps
Now for the uprated headlamp:-
I=P/V
I=85/12
I=7 Amps
So, your 85w lights will draw 7 Amps.
Now you need to find the wires which lead to your headlights and decide it it's meaty enough to handle 7 amps. That's where it comes in handy to know what size the wire on a mains extention lead is.
If you're still confused, try going into a car hifi shop and asking if they have any wire good enough for 10 amps(7amp load + 50% safety margin) and compare what they offer you to your headlight wiring.
Basically, unless the MR2 headlight wiring is horribly spindly I'd say you shouldn't have any problems at all.
For reference, have a look at the cable on a mains extention lead.
In the UK the maximum output from a wall socket is supposed to be 13A.
The wire in an extension lead needs to be strong enough to put up with a full 13A going through it.
If I recall correctly, the size of wire fitted in extension leads should be 2.5mm2 size.
Dunno what that is in SWG.Anyway, that gives you an idea of what size wire you need to feed 13A through.
Now we need to do some sums.
There's a calculator here: http://www.the12volt.com/ohm/ohmslaw.asp
For standard headlight:-
I=P/V
I=55/12
I=4.6 Amps
Now for the uprated headlamp:-
I=P/V
I=85/12
I=7 Amps
So, your 85w lights will draw 7 Amps.
Now you need to find the wires which lead to your headlights and decide it it's meaty enough to handle 7 amps.
That's where it comes in handy to know what size the wire on a mains extention lead is.If you're still confused, try going into a car hifi shop and asking if they have any wire good enough for 10 amps
(7amp load + 50% safety margin) and compare what they offer you to your headlight wiring.Basically, unless the MR2 headlight wiring is horribly spindly I'd say you shouldn't have any problems at all.
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THORtenerife
no problem
ive been using 90/110w for years,and have no problem,beats all the talk about getting blue lights etc,just uprate your watts to get brighter lights