Using an automotive DC relay for a lamp I have at home...

[erikiksaz]

This might be a silly question, but I figgur I should ask before I start cutting things up.

Anyways, I'm using this Ikea lamp, but with a 200watt bulb. The plastic switch that the lamp came with eventually melted from the inside out. I'm guessing it's because of the excess current that was pulled by the bulb.

In the mean time I've hacked off an identical switch from the other "reading light" section of the lamp to use. But, the switch is starting up to heat up, and I'm thinking that I should install a relay in this mothertrucker, just so that my house doesn't catch on fire one day.

I've used a few auto relays in the past, and those were DC. Would it make any bit of difference if I used those same relays (the ones that I've used on my car), on this lamp? I'm guessing a 40amp relay should suffice, but I don't know if there is a difference between AC and DC relays.

And if I choose to just use a huge 30amp switch, is there such a thing as an AC or a DC only switch?

 

[legoman666]

put in a lower watt bulb?

 

[erikiksaz]

Originally posted by: legoman666
put in a lower watt bulb?

I have to do a lot of reading. Anything under 200watts looks kinda dim to me.

 

[Mark R]

DC relays/switches are designed to switch much more quickly than AC - because in an AC circuit the current naturally stops as it reverses, and this helps sparks/arcs to extinguish. This doesn't happen in DC, so the switches have to be designed to cope with this.

Of course, the voltage that you are switching must be the same or lower than the relay's/switch's rating (12 V if it's an automotive part).

Presumably, the lamp voltage is 12 V. Just that I've never come across 200 W 12 V lamps - though I'm sure that they exist. If you're actually switching mains voltage, then an automotive part won't do.

 

[erikiksaz]

Did you mean 120volts?

Either way, I guess it means that I only have two options at this point.

1)Head to Home Depot where I might be able to find a non-automotive switch (I wonder if they have anything smaller than the wall-mounted switches).

2)buy one of those halogen lamps.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Jimmah]

I use automotive relays in lots of 120V jazz, just do the wattage math and stay 20% below and you should be ok.

Edit: Upon more thought, why not just get an energy saver bulb with a huger power? Saying you need 200w min. doesn't sound right. Perhaps a better position of the lamp would be more suitable then possibly burning your house down.