How many accessories are too many?

[smuponies]

I know the answer is all about Amps. I've been reading, Scotty.

But, I'm wondering if I can figure out the true amperage each one of my accessories is pulling? I have a multimeter that apparently reads amps, but I have no idea how to use it. I've read that it has to be in series with the circuit, but when I unplug a wire to an accessory that is on and connect leads up from multimeter, I get butkus. Am I doing it wrong?

Here are my accessories
Headlight bar. It has 2 37.5W bulbs, so I assume that is pulling 75/12V or ~6.25A
MP3 player. I have no idea how many amps this amplifier pulls. Does it depend on how loud the music is?
Cigarette Lighter. No clue how much this pulls. I guess it depends on what is plugged into it.

I'm wondering if I can listen to loud music, at night (with headlight on), while lighting my cigarette? Or, will my voltage reducer (25A, I believe) start smoking instead?

[kgsc]

Originally Posted by smuponies

I know the answer is all about Amps. I've been reading, Scotty.

But, I'm wondering if I can figure out the true amperage each one of my accessories is pulling? I have a multimeter that apparently reads amps, but I have no idea how to use it. I've read that it has to be in series with the circuit, but when I unplug a wire to an accessory that is on and connect leads up from multimeter, I get butkus. Am I doing it wrong?

Here are my accessories
Headlight bar. It has 2 37.5W bulbs, so I assume that is pulling 75/12V or ~6.25A
MP3 player. I have no idea how many amps this amplifier pulls. Does it depend on how loud the music is?
Cigarette Lighter. No clue how much this pulls. I guess it depends on what is plugged into it.

I'm wondering if I can listen to loud music, at night (with headlight on), while lighting my cigarette? Or, will my voltage reducer (25A, I believe) start smoking instead?

Your meter should have a selection for dc amps and may have different connection points for that. Make sure it can handle the load first. To check a device, basically break the wire in two and put the meter in the middle. If you get nada, you may have blown the fuse in the meter. They are usually in the battery compartment.

As for loads, big bulbs and stereo/amps are the drainers. Your 6 amps for the HLs is close enough and for the most part, yes amps do pull more power based on volume. A newer typical 20 wt per channel amp in a cd head unit is close to 10-15amps so you get the picture. For the stuff you use the most, run from the converter. Cig plug just pull from two batts