Current draw question on Edge Strobe bar

[bpollard]

Hello. Can anyone tell me the approximate amp draw on a Whelen Edge bar:

Four corner strobes
Four strobe heads facing forward
Front Populated only, nothing to the rear
Halogen "piercer" oscillating lights to the front in the center section

This is on a tanker truck. The switch in the console melted, I am trying to figure out if it was undersized or just developed a bad connection which heated it up. No fuses were blown. This tanker has been in service for 10 years or so, everything has worked fine up until now. I have a replacement switch which is rated for 20 amps. Not sure what the original one was.

 

[MtnMan]

I'd guess around 15A, so it should probably be on a 20A circuit with 12 AWG wire. What was it fused at?

 

[bpollard]

honestly i didnt check the fuse size. actually its on a circuit breaker. the wiring is awg 10

 

[Pete L.]

The Whelen Edge strobes are 1 1/2 amps per head so your're talking 12 amps just for your
8 strobes. Its been awhile since I messed with the piercers. Are you using 27, 35 or 50 watt
bulbs ? Remember: watts divided by volts equals amps. Add at least 1/2 amp for a motor.
Your 10ga. wire is great. I think your switch gave out.
Have you thought of putting your piercer on its own switch ?

 

[bpollard]

Actually, yes. It's an NFPA package so the piercer is on a separate circuit, which activates/deactivates with the parking brake. White light cut-off rule.

thanks for all the input, guys. I am going to dig into it today.

 

[RyanZ71]

That's an interesting idea having it wired to the parking brake... Back in the 90s, we'd program/wire the B-Link bars to eliminate the flashing takedowns and headlights/wigwags and a few other options when the vehicle was put into park (more steady classic comet flash pattern vs crazy attention getting stuff facing forward, no need to make drivers or officers walking up and back dizzy)

 

[Nolines]

You know that's a good idea, but I don't see a way of doing that thru programming, just turning on the rears, cruise the ends and steady on the takedowns/flood as needed by regular switch setup.