How to carry out a load test?

macafee2 · 7th January 2021, 12:41

I would like to see what amperage I can get at the 13 pin socket of my cars towing electrics. I can measure voltage but don't knowingly know how to test amperage without plugging something into the socket and I don't want to plug the caravan in. I may have known and simply forgotten how, so could find myself being embarrassed.
The fuse is 20 amps and would like to get perhaps 12A.

Can you tell me how?

macafee2

SD1too · 7th January 2021, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

... I can measure voltage but don't knowingly know how to test amperage without plugging something into the socket ... Can you tell me how?

Hello Ian,

I'm afraid it's not possible. The available current will depend upon the alternator's output (and whatever other equipment is operating at the time) but 12 amps shouldn't be a problem.

Simon

macafee2 · 7th January 2021, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hello Ian,

I'm afraid it's not possible. The available current will depend upon the alternator's output (and whatever other equipment is operating at the time) but 12 amps shouldn't be a problem.

Simon

Thanks Simon, is there an easy way to create 8-12amp load, in 1 amp steps?

macafee2

SD1too · 7th January 2021, 13:28

Hi Ian,

Is it the 13 pin towing socket that you're worried about? Do you want to be sure that the wiring can carry 12 amps?

Two car headlamp bulbs connected in parallel with draw just over 8 amps; a single one 4 amps. That's about as easy as it gets!

Simon

macafee2 · 7th January 2021, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hi Ian,

Is it the 13 pin towing socket that you're worried about? Do you want to be sure that the wiring can carry 12 amps?

Two car headlamp bulbs connected in parallel with draw just over 8 amps; a single one 4 amps. That's about as easy as it gets!

Simon

cheers Simon, I can do 4 amps, I have a headlight with some wires on for testing, thank you. If it melts, it cant carry 12 amps

macafee2

T-Cut · 7th January 2021, 20:39

You don't really need to set up any practical experiments to answer your question on the suitability of your caravan connector wiring. Standard auto electrical cables/insulated wires have current ratings directly related to their thickness/cross sectional area. A simple Google search will provide lots of info that will indicate what size wire you need for what ampage and any associated factors.
Click: https://www.google.co.uk/search?safe...4dUDCAg&uact=5

EDIT: Of course you'll need a vernier caliper of some kind to measure the wire size.

TC

COLVERT · 7th January 2021, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hi Ian,

Is it the 13 pin towing socket that you're worried about? Do you want to be sure that the wiring can carry 12 amps?

Two car headlamp bulbs connected in parallel with draw just over 8 amps; a single one 4 amps. That's about as easy as it gets!

Simon

Watts divided by volts gives you amps.

60 watts---main beam divided by volts---12 -- gives you 5 amps.

Two headlights==10 amps.

As T-Cut says you can look up the gauge of wire and its carrying capacity on Google.

7th January 2021, 12:41	#1
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,928 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	How to carry out a load test? I would like to see what amperage I can get at the 13 pin socket of my cars towing electrics. I can measure voltage but don't knowingly know how to test amperage without plugging something into the socket and I don't want to plug the caravan in. I may have known and simply forgotten how, so could find myself being embarrassed. The fuse is 20 amps and would like to get perhaps 12A. Can you tell me how? macafee2

7th January 2021, 13:28	#4
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,382 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Hi Ian, Is it the 13 pin towing socket that you're worried about? Do you want to be sure that the wiring can carry 12 amps? Two car headlamp bulbs connected in parallel with draw just over 8 amps; a single one 4 amps. That's about as easy as it gets! Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

7th January 2021, 20:39	#6
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	You don't really need to set up any practical experiments to answer your question on the suitability of your caravan connector wiring. Standard auto electrical cables/insulated wires have current ratings directly related to their thickness/cross sectional area. A simple Google search will provide lots of info that will indicate what size wire you need for what ampage and any associated factors. Click: https://www.google.co.uk/search?safe...4dUDCAg&uact=5 EDIT: Of course you'll need a vernier caliper of some kind to measure the wire size. TC Last edited by T-Cut; 7th January 2021 at 20:43..