Wire gauge and Aux Beam Question

[Josh250]

Hello Everyone
Looking for some help. I installed an Auxbeam control panel kit over the weekend and picked up a used KC 50 inch LED Lightbar.

I need to extend the wires from the light bar about a foot or two and it looks like 14 gauge wire.

The specs I found online for the light bar say it is about 288 watts.

Question 1: What size fuse do i use when running the light bar wires to the Auxbeam? 288 watts ÷ 12 volts = 24 amps? (Not sure if im correct here)

Question 2: Assuming it is 24 amps, the bar is using 14 gauge wire to the auxbeam. An online search says this is not safe as the wire is too small. Am I missing something here?

Any help is appreciated, hope it makes sense

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[Vtur]

If #14 wires came with the light bar from KC, then it's unlikely rated at a true 288w, more like inrust rating. You can checks another lower current led lamps with a standard 10a rated multimeter. You will be surprised that they draws 30-60% less than the rated wattage.

 

[WhereInTarnation]

Which KC Lightbar? Heck, my Gravity Titan pulls 36amps. My Flex Era 4's pull 24 per pair.

 

[MrBones]

Check out the SAE wire gauge chart.
https://jascoautomotive.com/automotive-wire-amperage-capacity-chart/
You'll find that #14AWG is good for 25A up to 3.7 feet. I don't necessarily agree but that's what they are using to size the wire.

 

[SanTan38]

Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but KC highlights does advertise the prodigy 50 inch light bar as a “low amperage draw" rated at 160-170 watts. Watt= voltage x current. (170watts divided by 12volts is 14.16amps. So 14 gauge should be sufficient. If you’re worried, go 12 gauge and a 15 amp fuse. Should be fine. Unless it’s a different light bar then try 10 gauge Wire and 25 amp fuse.

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