How many AMP fuse to use?

Hi Fella's

I ordered a cigarette lighter socket off ebay and waiting for it to arrive.
The reason for my post is i am planning to use a fuse tap to tap my cigarette lighter fuse. i will be adding another cigarette lighter socket to which i can plug my dash cam and tuck it away nicely under the dash/steering coloumn.

My question is, currently the cigarette fuse circuit is a 20amp circuit (existing fuse is 20A). I was planning to lower that circuit to 15A and add my extra socket at only 5A (total 20A).

I do not permit smoking in my car so i really wont be making use of the cigarette lighters 20A i dont think. And my camera only draws 5v 1A according to the plug supplied with the camera.

So is this fine? Or should i just do 20A for the existing socket and add my new socket at 5A. I highly doubt i will EVER draw that much current from that circuit. only things i use are GPS/Phone Charger/Dash Cam, etc. Nothing Heavy.

Thanks Guys

anyone?.................

sounds like you have covered all the bases, knowing how much current draw the circuit allows and how much current draw you intend on using.


if you're still not sure, just run a new circuit for peace of mind.

I just need one that will power on and off with the car. The lighter is the easiest one and one I consider unused :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by philip_pc

My question is, currently the cigarette fuse circuit is a 20amp circuit (existing fuse is 20A). I was planning to lower that circuit to 15A and add my extra socket at only 5A (total 20A).

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This option since you already have the parts to do it, but the best would be to create an entirely new circuit.

The original lighter circuit was designed for 20A because it takes a lot of current to heat the element in the lighter.
As long as you don't try pull more current than it's designed for (20A) you should be fine. And given that you won't be using the lighter it will most likely be fine.

Just check the specs on anything you plug in if you think it might draw a lot of current.

What other circuit could I use that would also power on and off with the car? Would you have any suggestions?

There are some empty spits without fuses but I'm not sure if they power on and off with the car. Not home at the moment so can't check which fuses numbers they are.

By new circuit, I mean find a switched ignition source, use a relay and run new wire from battery.

But considering the small amount of current your drawing, your setup will be fine.

The one I've suggested is for bigger things like spotlights, pumps, etc. But can be used for anything, which is why it's ideal.

Understood, if my method will suffice I'll probably go that way. Tidier, easier, n I got the equipment already. Many thanks for your advice though. You've been a great help

No worries, like I said just check the specs on anything you plug in if you think it might draw a lot of current (laptop chargers and things like that) it will save you from blowing fuses

is this what you have bought?

http://www.dhresource.com/albu_24694...ter-socket.jpg

if not get this and problem solved!

That's ugly