Electrical Question About Adding Lights

I have a dumb question regarding adding 5 lights to my roof rack. I have 5 50W lights to add and each light has 3 16Ga wires (Light Power, Backlight Power and Ground) I plan to run them in series. What gauge should the feed wire be and what amp fuse should I be using? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

W=AV

wattage = 50 * 5 = 250

250 = A * V
250 = A * 14.5
17.24 = A

Amperage draw = 17.24 Amps

So we can tell from the following chart that - assuming 20 amps, and 12' of wire, you should use 10 gauge wire. Less distance, you can go with 12 gauge...etc etc.

 

Thank you sir! I really appreciate the help.

 

Watts/Voltage = Amperage

5*50=250

250w/12v = 21A

 

Why do you want to run them in series? They won’t each get full voltage that way

 

Also, depending on the bulbs, if one goes out, they all go out.

 

What's 12 volts though? Our automotive systems are 14.65 when charging...or 12.6 when not charging, right?

 

My thought was that it's a lot less wires to run them in series but you are correct so I might re-think it.

 

It shouldn't be any more wiring to run in parallel, you just need to be good at making splices. And if you aren't good now, you're about to get some practice.

 

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