Car 12v amps -- help!

[assuan]

Hi there,

Sorry, I'm not a sparky and hoping that someone can help me with a question!

I have a wireless cctv camera and reciever, they are both 12v, one is 200mA the other 500mA, if I wire this directly to a car battery (I assume a high ampage) will it 'blow them up'.... or is it that what ever they are wired to for power, must be higher ampage than the draw that these devices will pull? (if that makes sense)

Thanks in advance (please don't take the preverbial too much)

 

[malcolmsanford]

Not exactly a car sparks but could this be of help?

Voltage Booster products, buy Voltage Booster products from alibaba.com

 

[pushrod]

Have you checked that the alternator/battery are ok? Will the device work directly off the battery? Then as bk81 says could be volt drop due to poor connections / small cables.

 

[RogertheBodger]

10 - 11 volts with the engine running?

 

[telectrix]

possibly due to the use of scotchloks on the towbar wiring.

 

[assuan]

Yes with the engine running.

I've removed all the scotch locks and replaced with terminal blocks. The wiring is very old lol

 

[pushrod]

Yes with the engine running.

I've removed all the scotch locks and replaced with terminal blocks. The wiring is very old lol

You've just done that?? did it improve things?



No expert on cars but if you are only getting 10.5-11V across the battery when engine off then i would think your battery is on its wayout - think 12.5-13V is more normal; and if getting the 10.5-11V with engine running would suspect a faulty alternator

 

[assuan]

Replaced scotch looks last night.

Both batteries are pushing out 12.85 when engine not running, and around 15 when running, so batteries and alternator ok I think.

Guessing it must be the old cables, think I'll have to look for or make a voltage booster - although I guess it would be better to sort out the issues rather than compensate for them

 

[bk81]

I think if you've replaced all the scotch locks and are losing 2v between the battery and the trailer socket it sounds like maybe you nee to replace the cables feeding the trailer socket, selecting a cable size taking into account volt drop.

Although it must be said I'm not an auto electrician...