View Single Post
Old Oct 5th, 2018, 14:21   #15
Ron Kwas
Premier Member
 
Ron Kwas's Avatar
 

Last Online: Today 13:22
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Connecticut, USA
Default

arcturus;

I'm not sure where you got the 1.25 factor (1.5 to even 2 is a good factor range for incandescents because of their inrush), and your results would be in Amps, and that would then be used as fuse rating...so short answer is: Not quite.

Looking at what the factory did as a reference: In wiring diagram of a 6V 444 (http://www.sw-em.com/444LS%206V%20Wiring%20Diagram.gif), we see 45W/40W Headlight elements (7.5A/6.6A), and a single 25A fuse upstream of the Light Switch. Nominal current calculates at 15A/13.2A (1.6/1.9 Factors)

Contrast that to the 6V 544 WD (http://www.sw-em.com/544_6Vwiring.jpg) where Headlights of similar wattage ratings are individually fused at 8A, so the factor there works out at only 1.06/1.2. (I'd be mildly concerned and on the lookout for fuse "nuisance blows" with those low factors, but I'm sure factory engineers found those values to be OK, showing judgement and actual test experience is also taken into account when specifying fuse currents!).

So long answer (taking into account standard fuse values) is...if fusing individually for 60W, I'd recommend 12 or 15A, and if fusing together, I'd use 25A or even 30A (assure wire gauge is suitable for expected normal condition current!).

Hope that helps.
Ron Kwas is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Ron Kwas For This Useful Post: