Electrical question 12v lights

[OKI Marine]

Recently had a new entry door installed on my 5th wheel. The old door had a small thin strip light that went along the bottom on the inside. I just noticed that the light is not on the new one. The installer cut the power wires and taped the ends. The wires stick out about a half an inch near the inside bottom corner of the new door. I checked them and they are live (hot). Some how I need to add a connector. I would like to wire 8 small marker lights to it. I don't know how much power each light draws. All I can find is 0.2w. Nothing about amps. Wondered if splicing 8 wires into one on both would be possible. What information do I need to find out?

[llr]

Are you sure about the .2 watts? Even if that is per light you are only .13 amps so that would not be an issue.
The .2 watts seems very low unless the are just LED indicator lights

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by llr

Are you sure about the .2 watts? Even if that is per light you are only .13 amps so that would not be an issue.
The .2 watts seems very low unless the are just LED indicator lights

Yes they are small marker lights. Want to install them on the Lippert solid steps so they aren't tripped over at night and to mark each step in the dark

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by llr

Are you sure about the .2 watts? Even if that is per light you are only .13 amps so that would not be an issue.
The .2 watts seems very low unless the are just LED indicator lights

The 0.2 w was on the description on them

[andymil]

.2 watts at 12 volts is less than 20 milliamps.

[llr]

You should be good current wise. Are these 12volt lights or individual LEDs like from an electronic supplier? If individual you will need to add current limiting resistors, if 12 volt LEDs then it is built in

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by andymil

.2 watts at 12 volts is less than 20 milliamps.

So I should be good to connect all 8 lights to the two wires that ran to the previous strip light? Not all that knowledgeable on amps, milliamps, watts and such.

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by llr

You should be good current wise. Are these 12volt lights or individual LEDs like from an electronic supplier? If individual you will need to add current limiting resistors, if 12 volt LEDs then it is built in

12 v lights (partsam LED marker). I think I might have missed read it. Found another description says 1.2w . Each light has 6 led bulbs and each bulb is 0.2w. These lights are really small

[andymil]

Originally Posted by OKI Marine

12 v lights (partsam LED marker). I think I might have missed read it. Found another description says 1.2w . Each light has 6 led bulbs and each bulb is 0.2w. These lights are really small

You should still be under 1 amp.

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by andymil

You should still be under 1 amp.

How do I know the capability of the wire that supplies the current?

[andymil]

If you have a wire stripper, you can use it to measure the wire gauge and check online to see how much current that size wire will carry.

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by andymil

If you have a wire stripper, you can use it to measure the wire gauge and check online to see how much current that size wire will carry.

Ok. Thanks

[andymil]

If it’s 22 awg or bigger, it will carry at least 1 amp.

[ka7cxa]

You can use Ohm's law of power to get the amperage. if you are wiring in series just add to get the total wattage . Then divide the wattage by 12 volts and you will have the amp draw. if you are wiring in parallel the math becomes a little more in depth ie p1+p2+p3 divided by p1xp2xp3 that gives you the total watts. divide that by 12 volts and you have the amperage.

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by ka7cxa

You can use Ohm's law of power to get the amperage. if you are wiring in series just add to get the total wattage . Then divide the wattage by 12 volts and you will have the amp draw. if you are wiring in parallel the math becomes a little more in depth ie p1+p2+p3 divided by p1xp2xp3 that gives you the total watts. divide that by 12 volts and you have the amperage.

Just splicing wire from lights (about 6-8" long) into a main wire

[Flybob]

It might be easier to simply use a short direct connect (no controller) LED strip. Simple two wire connection and stick on.
Similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-St...inch+led+strip

[TGR]

My trailer uses a single amber-lensed light under the steps for backlight. I think your idea of using amber side markers will work well. However, I wonder if 8 lights will be too bright. It might be best to consider just 4 or fewer to start. In any event, the LED markers will not draw too much current for your wiring.

Please share a picture when you are finished. I'm sure many of us would like to see how well your idea worked.

[OKI Marine]

Originally Posted by TGR

My trailer uses a single amber-lensed light under the steps for backlight. I think your idea of using amber side markers will work well. However, I wonder if 8 lights will be too bright. It might be best to consider just 4 or fewer to start. In any event, the LED markers will not draw too much current for your wiring.

Please share a picture when you are finished. I'm sure many of us would like to see how well your idea worked.

Will be glad to post pictures when done. Mainly lights will be for steps at night. They are small and low wattage. I want to illuminate the steps at night. My wife takes our old mini schnauzer out a couple of times during the night. I just want her to be able to see each step. I don't want the main outside light on the camper on as it is big and very bright. That way we don't disturb the campers in the next site over while they are trying to sleep. I will take your advice however and power them all up in the dark to see how bright they are.