Emergency strobes, power consumption
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=7853
Printed Date: May 29, 2024 at 2:44 AM
Topic: Emergency strobes, power consumption
Posted By: csorb
Subject: Emergency strobes, power consumption
Date Posted: January 08, 2003 at 6:46 PM
Hi guys! I'm in the midst of wiring an emergency vehicle with some strobes. One front and four rear. Each light has it's own strobe pack. I find that the wires and switch are getting much too hot. How much power do these things use anyhow, and do I need to use special strobe wire? Thanks
-------------
csorb
Replies:
Posted By: themagicone
Date Posted: January 08, 2003 at 7:07 PM
the lights run at 300volts ot so, 20amps i think is the draw/
Posted By: csorb
Date Posted: January 08, 2003 at 9:51 PM
Thanks. I swapped out the wiring for 12 gauge, hope it helps.
-------------
csorb
Posted By: jcaimhigher
Date Posted: January 14, 2003 at 10:20 PM
If the bulbs are industry standard, FedSig, Whelen, Sound Off then they are 25w tubes. That doesn't mean they'll see that much. There are many different supplies out there from 2out to 4 and up to 8out. The wattage ranges from 45w to 180w for the 8 out which is around 30amps total and about 25 constant draw. The length of wire is important too. As length goes up so should guage. HTH
John ------------- John
jcaimhigher@ixpres.com
Bond of the Blue Beret
Posted By: EVSolutions
Date Posted: February 16, 2003 at 11:35 PM
csorb, Have you figured out the problem yet? I just registered and was looking around when I came across this posting. Sean - Emergency Vehicle Solutions
Posted By: fire200799
Date Posted: February 17, 2003 at 7:39 PM
if you can you should use 3 conductor sheilded wire, that is recommened by the manufacture. depending on what else is hooked up on the vehicle you may have too high of an amp draw. strobes need the 12 volts to operate correctly if not it can cause things to heat up & fuses to melt. hope this helps
-------------
Thanks Eric
Posted By: csorb
Date Posted: February 19, 2003 at 6:30 PM
Hi. What I ended up doing was yanking out the wiring and switching it for 12 gauge. I also changed the main switch to a heavier duty version. I have not heard from the customer so I guess all is well.
|