Hi,

I just purchased a DROK DC-DC (waterproof) buck converter that steps down from 12/24V to 5V with output current/power of 10A/50W (product number 090586). I am using this for an LED project in a car with a 12V lead-acid battery, and the product information on this converter says to put an inline fuse on the input side of the converter, but it does not indicate a suggested current rating for the fuse. I know the output current is 10A, but the fuse is on the input side, and I know that buck converters have higher current output than input. I know I could add a 10A fuse on the input, and it would not blow under reasonable working conditions, but I am not an electrician and I don’t know if a 10A rating on an input fuse is way too high to actually provide any safety.

Succinctly, my question is this: Assuming my output load on the 5V end is less than 10A, as per the spec, how low of a current rating can I (should I) use on an inline fuse on the input for the converter?

Thanks!

Zach