Hilux 4x4 Forum

Hi Guys, can I use 220v Flex to wire up a 12v Led worklight, or must I use automotive wire?
Thanx.
Elvy

220v flex is usually low amp rating since the volts are relatively high. 12V is relatively low so the amps are higher but generally not excessively so. What's the max current draw on the lamp?

The wire "size" relates to the current it can carry :

Cable size in mm square....1...1,5...2,5...4.....6.....10...16
Current carrying capacity..11...14....18...25....32....43...57

You get "flex" from 1mm2 (read: one-millimeter-squared) up to 4mm2. As you can see the current carrying capacity varies drastically.


If you give a bit more information on your worklight (rated power) we can help with the wire selection.

Hi Chris,
It is the 27 watt work light from 4x4 direct. I do have the red and blue automotive wires,but because the wires wil be running on my cattlerails I wanted to go to black flex .
Thanx.
Elvy

A 27W lamp will draw 2.5A at 12V

I(A) = P(W) / V(V)

That's easily within the spec of normal household extension flex

niclemaitre wrote:A 27W lamp will draw 2.5A at 12V

I(A) = P(W) / V(V)

That's easily within the spec of normal household extension flex

Correct. The wire size could go down to 1mm2 (actually lower) and still do the job fine.

BUT - "run the wires ON the cattle rail" .... please make sure you have excellent fusing near the battery. You really dont want something damaging the insulation and shorting out onto the metal of the cattle rail.

I would fish it through one of the rails with grommets at entry/exit points

Thanx for the info.
Will do.