Wondering if anybody knows how many amps the condenser draws? I have one laying around and want to use it on another project.

 

Hard to say. Hook up an ammeter in series to it and put it on a car battery to find out. Keep in mind, there's a starting surge and running current. Fuses have an instantaneous and long-term "setting" if you will, so I'd guess about 5 amps over the running current should protect it if that's what you're trying to accomplish.

 

I would advise against hooking up an ammeter in series, unless it's a very heavy duty one, unless you know 1000% that it's not going to draw more that what your meter is rated for, ask me how I know. I personally would recommend either a scope with an inductive pickup or a little pocket clamp ammeter.

 

Ammeters have fuses, you know.

 

Yea, I know this. But, at least on my cheap crappy meter that I'd gladly sacrifice over my Fluke, replacing the damn 10a fuse requires pulling the whole thing apart. Even then, I've seen plenty of perfectly fine working fans on a car pull well over 10a, so it does no use except for figuring out it's over 10a.

 

I had a buddy come over last night and test it for me. It seems to spike to 8.9 amps and drop to 4.5 ish when running steady. I am going to use a 15amp fuse in line which should be more then enough to handle the load. I am actually using this on my 4 wheeler. My factory one crapped out on me, and we are going out on a big run today, hopefully this gets me out of a pinch until my replacement comes in. Now, out to the garage....