Relay not needed?

I understand the reason to use a relay is to have a shorter run of the heavier gauge wire to a led. If I am running two 10W LEDs is there any point in wiring up a relay instead of wiring right thru the switch? Is 16ga wire enough for 2 10w led's?

 

Check the switches rating. 20w is pretty low, you don't need a relay if your switch is rated for it. 16g will be plenty.

 

most switches are rated at 5 amps. for 2-10w lights you wou;d be pulling <2 amps so you should be fine wiring straight to a switch, however make sure to fuse into the switch for safety.

 

Shorter run, and thinner gauge wiring, is from relay to the switch. Relay to power source and to the the components use the heavy wiring. Using Amps = Watts \ Volts formula, Your amp draw will be about 1.7 amps; so, 16 gauge should be enough. I have a 10-inch light bar (36 watts) that draws 2.6 amps, wired directly to a switch; came with 14 gauge wiring.