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Author Topic:   Fuse Size Cigar Lighter Receptacle

Waccamaw Whaler posted 03-01-2009 04:11 PM ET (US)
What is the correct fuse size to use for the AUX or cigar lighter receptacle when it will be used almost exclusively for a spot light and small inflatable air pump?
AtoZ posted 03-01-2009 04:27 PM ET (US)
I believe you want to size the fuse to the size of the wiring , not the device you want to plug in. Check the draw of the devices you want to use and be sure that the wiring will support it.
jimh posted 03-01-2009 04:32 PM ET (US)
The proper fuse to use to protect a branch circuit should be within this range:
--the fuse rating should be no HIGHER than the current capacity of the lowest rated wire or connector in the circuit; and,
--the fuse rating should be no LOWER than the current demand of the highest rated load in the circuit.
This will define a range of fuse ratings which are acceptable. If there is only one load in the branch circuit, select the fuse for that rating. If there are multiple devices, select the fuse for their aggregate load, up to the maximum rating of the of the circuit as determined by its wiring and connectors.
For a cigar lighter plug, the typical plug will be rated for 20-amperes. Check with the manufacturer for more details.
L H G posted 03-02-2009 01:11 AM ET (US)
My Boston Whaler Outrages both came with a factory installed power plug and fuse holder. It is marked for a 10 amp fuse.
jimh posted 03-02-2009 09:36 AM ET (US)
After looking up a few cigar plug ratings, 10-amperes may be more realistic current rating for the plug. Some of the marine cigar lighter plugs have internal fuses of 10-amperes. The cigar lighter receptacle in a vehicle is usually fused higher to accommodate the cigar lighter element.
Waccamaw Whaler posted 03-02-2009 02:01 PM ET (US)
Thank you.
I just checked my spotlight and it's 12v, 75w.
I spliced the receptical (which had a 14? maybe 16 ga. wire?) to a 14 ga. wire.
I'm not certain of the rating for the small air pump but it can't be too much.
I think I'll go with a 7.5A or 10A if need be.
Ron
Moe posted 03-10-2009 06:34 AM ET (US)
I use the Marinco Deluxe 12V Receptacle
http://www.marinco.com/product/sealink-deluxe-12-volt-receptacle
If you click on Support Documents -> Specification Sheet, you will see it is rated 15 amps. For 15 amps, you would use 14AWG minimum. For 12 amps fused, 16AWG minimum, and for 10 amps fused, 18AWG minimum. ABYC recommends using a minimum of 16AWG onboard, but you also need to consider the voltage drop loss which depends on the combined lengths of the positive and negative wires.
It is also available in "white"
http://www.marinco.com/product/sealink-deluxe-12-volt-receptacle-white
There are other receptacles, usually cheaper, that have ratings as low as 5 amps. Be careful to find the actual rating.
--
Moe

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Author	Topic: Fuse Size Cigar Lighter Receptacle
Waccamaw Whaler	posted 03-01-2009 04:11 PM ET (US) What is the correct fuse size to use for the AUX or cigar lighter receptacle when it will be used almost exclusively for a spot light and small inflatable air pump?
AtoZ	posted 03-01-2009 04:27 PM ET (US) I believe you want to size the fuse to the size of the wiring , not the device you want to plug in. Check the draw of the devices you want to use and be sure that the wiring will support it.
jimh	posted 03-01-2009 04:32 PM ET (US) The proper fuse to use to protect a branch circuit should be within this range: --the fuse rating should be no HIGHER than the current capacity of the lowest rated wire or connector in the circuit; and, --the fuse rating should be no LOWER than the current demand of the highest rated load in the circuit. This will define a range of fuse ratings which are acceptable. If there is only one load in the branch circuit, select the fuse for that rating. If there are multiple devices, select the fuse for their aggregate load, up to the maximum rating of the of the circuit as determined by its wiring and connectors. For a cigar lighter plug, the typical plug will be rated for 20-amperes. Check with the manufacturer for more details.
L H G	posted 03-02-2009 01:11 AM ET (US) My Boston Whaler Outrages both came with a factory installed power plug and fuse holder. It is marked for a 10 amp fuse.
jimh	posted 03-02-2009 09:36 AM ET (US) After looking up a few cigar plug ratings, 10-amperes may be more realistic current rating for the plug. Some of the marine cigar lighter plugs have internal fuses of 10-amperes. The cigar lighter receptacle in a vehicle is usually fused higher to accommodate the cigar lighter element.
Waccamaw Whaler	posted 03-02-2009 02:01 PM ET (US) Thank you. I just checked my spotlight and it's 12v, 75w. I spliced the receptical (which had a 14? maybe 16 ga. wire?) to a 14 ga. wire. I'm not certain of the rating for the small air pump but it can't be too much. I think I'll go with a 7.5A or 10A if need be. Ron
Moe	posted 03-10-2009 06:34 AM ET (US) I use the Marinco Deluxe 12V Receptacle http://www.marinco.com/product/sealink-deluxe-12-volt-receptacle If you click on Support Documents -> Specification Sheet, you will see it is rated 15 amps. For 15 amps, you would use 14AWG minimum. For 12 amps fused, 16AWG minimum, and for 10 amps fused, 18AWG minimum. ABYC recommends using a minimum of 16AWG onboard, but you also need to consider the voltage drop loss which depends on the combined lengths of the positive and negative wires. It is also available in "white" http://www.marinco.com/product/sealink-deluxe-12-volt-receptacle-white There are other receptacles, usually cheaper, that have ratings as low as 5 amps. Be careful to find the actual rating. -- Moe