Mud-club

Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 15:52:51

Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 15:52:51
I have bought a 16w 12v dc flourecsent light for the disco. It has 2 8w tubes inside it to make the 16w.

I have a 3amp 5mm cable. Will this be ok for it?

Quickly reply thanked for now as I want to wire this into the disco NOW. have new toy will play!!!
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: Evilgoat on February 15, 2007, 16:16:48
That will be ok, no worries. Draw will be about 1.3A or to be precicse :

1.3333333333333333333333... you get the idea
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: Horness on February 15, 2007, 16:23:34
Watts divided by Volts = Amps

16W divided by 12V = 1.3A
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: Sharpshooter on February 15, 2007, 16:40:46
3 amp cable is more likely 0.5 mm cable.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: att on February 15, 2007, 17:31:50
Quote from: "Horness"
Watts divided by Volts = Amps

16W divided by 12V = 1.3A


Brilliant information, thanks. 8)
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 18:04:01
Cheers guys.

I have now completed my wiring and installing. The light isnt as bright as I thought it was going to be but with a 8w light that should be coming soon that will go in the centre of the roof in the boot,  which will be instead of the poxy little light that is supposed to come on when you open the door, it should be nice and light in there for if i need to dig around and find something.

I have placed the 16w light on the bit of plastic in between the alpine light and the back window. It fitted perfectly mounted under there.

I have wired it into the constant 12v for the towing electrics. I hope to get a 12s socket and mount it in the back door sometime but not bought the socket yet. I have a spare in my caravan that is 2 hours away from me!

Mental note though. Dont forget to leave it on!!!
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: Range Rover Blues on February 15, 2007, 19:45:30
Quote from: "muddyjames"


Mental note though. Dont forget to leave it on!!!


I could be a smart arse and work out how long it will take to flatten your battery, but how about I suggest some sort of foolproof switching system that will prevent such an error from happening?
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: BrumLee on February 15, 2007, 19:57:15
When you want to calculate energy its simple to draw a triangle and then draw a T inside the triangle, giving you one section at the top and two sections below. Then write a W in the top section, then A in the lower left and V in the lower right.

When you need to find out problems like the one in this topic you substitute W for Watts, V for Volts and A for Amps. Then look at the figures you have like a maths question i.e. W/V = A (24w/12v = 2A)

Using this simple tool you can calculate fuse rating, current draw etc.

HTH  :wink:
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 20:20:41
Quote from: "Range Rover Blues"
Quote from: "muddyjames"


Mental note though. Dont forget to leave it on!!!


I could be a smart arse and work out how long it will take to flatten your battery, but how about I suggest some sort of foolproof switching system that will prevent such an error from happening?


I am thinking about trying to buy a timer so it only stays on for 5 minutes for example like the interior lights on the disco already do.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 20:21:38
Quote from: "BrumLee"
When you want to calculate energy its simple to draw a triangle and then draw a T inside the triangle, giving you one section at the top and two sections below. Then write a W in the top section, then A in the lower left and V in the lower right.

When you need to find out problems like the one in this topic you substitute W for Watts, V for Volts and A for Amps. Then look at the figures you have like a maths question i.e. W/V = A (24w/12v = 2A)

Using this simple tool you can calculate fuse rating, current draw etc.

HTH  :wink:


this triangle is really useful as I got taught it at school. I can just never remember which letter goes in which part of the triangle  :oops:  :roll:
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: BrumLee on February 15, 2007, 20:29:48
For timer circuits this  LM555  (http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM555.html) site may help.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 20:35:52
:shock:  :o  :shock:  :o

I am mega baffled with that site Lee.  It goes on about flip flop timers.  :shock:  :o It has multi colour arrow things and all sorts.

Anyone know of any web sites that do a simple timer that once the current flows through it, it sets the timer off and shuts off after about 5 mins. What about the disco interior timer? Would that be up to the job if I could get hold of a second hand one? There are enough guys breaking disco on here these days!
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: BrumLee on February 15, 2007, 20:51:51
The LM555 semiconductor is the timer part of the circuit, you can google LM555 and see if you can find something. The timer for interior lights etc are built into relays. You can find old relays in breakers and a FORD timer relay was yellow (well it was when I did their advanced electrics & electronics course)
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 15, 2007, 20:56:46
I like going around breakers yards :D This could be a good esxcuse to leave wallet at home and only take coins that are in pocket and visit them :D :lol:
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: Evilgoat on February 16, 2007, 09:04:07
Quote from: "muddyjames"
I like going around breakers yards :D This could be a good esxcuse to leave wallet at home and only take coins that are in pocket and visit them :D :lol:


I have a timed relay I can bash up for you that behaves like a normal courtesy lamp but will stay on for a minute or two/goes out when you turn the igniton comes on. PM me if you want one.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 16, 2007, 16:43:22
Thanks for the offer. I am hoping for about 5 minutes as if I am unloading my disco then I would like it to be on for about 5minutes.

thanks for the offer.

James
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: Evilgoat on February 16, 2007, 17:05:43
Will calculate out all the timing values tonight and knock one up if you like.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: muddyjames on February 16, 2007, 17:14:13
pm sent.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: clbarclay on February 16, 2007, 23:46:13
Quote from: "BrumLee"
When you want to calculate energy its simple to draw a triangle and then draw a T inside the triangle, giving you one section at the top and two sections below. Then write a W in the top section, then A in the lower left and V in the lower right.



Sorry to be a bore, but....

Energy is the wrong word, watts is a measure of power.

Power = Energy/Time

or to put it another way power is the rate of energy transphere.
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: gtomo2 on February 17, 2007, 07:12:27
Or you could just connect the -ve side of the light to the door swicth for the interior lights that way it wil go off when you close the door
Title: Electrical question about wiring and timers :-)
Post by: mark.yellow.series.3 on February 17, 2007, 13:23:04
dont forfget guys that an electrical system on a car is 13.8 vdc. you will get 12.5vdc out of a good car battery, and upto 14 vdc when when the engine is running.

and 555 timers are as old as the hills and subsequntly not that good and with standing surges, so i filter circuit is required.
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