Sierra ignition barrel and current

[davidimurray]

Just doing some more tidying up and sorting out on my wiring diagram. I calculate that with my circuit, the max current that will be drawn through the ignition barrel in position 2 is 50Amps. This sounds a lot to me - can the ignition switch take that sort of current?

I've worked it out by taking the fuse ratings for -
20A - Indicator,Reverse & Handbrake Lights
10A - LHS Sidelights, Tailights & Number Plate
10A - RHS Sidelights, Tailights
10A - Brake Lights & Dash

On the permanent live side of things, the load is 120A max excluding the starter.

[drury318]

On a Sierra loom and fuse box there is a black ign relay, you will find it has 2 normal size terminals and 2 really big ones, this will take the current ok if you put one in the circuit, Dennis.

[davidimurray]

Ah ha - Cheers Dennis

Looks like its time to incorporate another relay and update my wiring diagram.

[davedew]

David,

You could do as I talked about in your other thread and wire the side lights to a permenant live as per the original Sierra. This would remove 20A from your load and mean you do not need the additional relay.

Cheers

Dave

[Enoch]

side lights don't take anywhere near 20 amps (4 5 watt bulbs plus the panel lights)- more like 5 or 6. Most of the load will come from a live going direct to the fuses and then to relays.
Enoch

[davidimurray]

In between chopping up material for suspension bushes I braved to dig the sierra fuse box out of my big bag of wires. Had a look but couldn't fina a big black relay. My Sierra was an 87 GL - anyone know if they had them - will check the haynes diagram this evening.

Davedew - that is one option. My only reluctance is that when the car is parked up - any passer-by could switch the lights on.

Enoch - assuming all the side lights added up to 6 amps, that leaves 36amps to take through the switch gear.

One thing I have yet to check is the size of the wire going to the switch as I'm guessing this would be a good indicator of capacity. I'm currently leaning towards fitting the relay as it then keeps all the high current carrying wires out of the cockpit.