How many accessories can a 12v converter handle ?

[Alolsen2012]

So currently we have a head/tail light kit and a 180 watt light bar hooked up. My question is could I add a head unit and a 250.1 amp or would I be over subscribing my converter?

Here are details

[wthompson912]

formula to convert watts to amps.
amps = divide watts by the voltage
180/12=15 amps for light bar
head/tail light kit= are they Halogen or LED?

[Alolsen2012]

Originally Posted by wthompson912

formula to convert watts to amps.
amps = divide watts by the voltage
180/12=15 amps for light bar
head/tail light kit= are they Halogen or LED?

They aren't leds, so I'll assume halogen , they have a 10 amp fuse , head unit is rated at 7 amps (already have installed) and the amp is 140 rms watts at 4 ohms which is what I'll be running at.

[scottyb]

The unit shown is 400 watt rated.

[Alolsen2012]

What exactly would happen if I was to go over 30 amps ? I believe I am at 32 right now so I probably shouldn't add an amp..

[scottyb]

If you exceed their capacity they burn up plain and simple.

[sformal]

Originally Posted by scottyb

If you exceed their capacity they burn up plain and simple.

I would even take a bit of marge; nothing is built to be at maximum capacity all the time...

Is your converter hot after you used the lights for a while? Hope it was not installed in a too enclosed area.

[theboss20]

Several guys have run two converters when the load gets too high...the other thought is will you be running all things at the same time? Others have added an extra battery to run the add-ons...so there are things you can do.👍👍👍

[Sergio]

You may be fine.

If You have a MultiMeter that can measure DC amps, You should measure the current used by each of those devices.

If that 180w light bar is an LED bar, it may be 3-4 amps.

Amplifier "watts" ratings are also very misleading, the actual electrical power may be less than 1/2 of the listed "musical power".

[kgsc]

What he said. Car stereo amplifiers vary a bunch on wattage ratings. In the dark ages years ago I was in that car stereo competition mode and can't tell you how many amps that people brought that were listed as 1200 watts yet my 20 watts per channel would out perform them without an issue. The dead give away was the 18 gauge wire used for power. Looking at the fuse the amp is using will give you a clue but an ammeter is the best option to get the real number.