Electrical conversion question

thrillseeker

Been Around the Block
I have run across a couple toggle switches that only advertise amperage at 120v ac. One I found (below) advertises 5 amps @ 120v ac. Is there a way to convert the amps to 12v dc? Forgive my ignorance when it comes to electronics. I searched online and couldn't find anything.

Here's the switch I'm looking into using for my ignition. I want to make sure it will work. https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/toggle-switches/mini-onoff-toggle-switch/1353/3111/
 
I found this calculator https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/tools/ac-to-dc-amperage-conversion-run-through-an-inverter.html

from this calculator it looks like the switch I was looking at (5a @ 120vac) could handle 55.2 amps @ 12vdc. does that sound right? or doesnt it work that way? they are talking about using an inverter so I'm not sure if this calculator really works in my scenario.
 
Your calc for converting the same amount of power at 12 vdc looks correct, however you cannot apply that to the capacity of the switch. A rough estimate would be to use the same current for dc as ac, so about 5A. The is a lot of things to consider, arcing on the contacts surface are of the switch contacts to carry current, most of which the switch manufacturer should know.

Think of it this way, imagine the electricty is like water flowing through a hose and a switch is the valve on the hose. Voltage would be like the water pressure in the hose and current would be like the volume of water flowing. If the diameter of the valve doesnt change the volume of water flowing through it is limited, regarldless of the pressure, (more or less).

1974 CB360, 2015 Ducati Scrambler
 
Btw 5A at 12vdc is still 60 watts, a fair amount of power. P=A x V. How much power does you ignition require?

1974 CB360, 2015 Ducati Scrambler
 
Thanks for the clarification! I have a cb360 that is kick start only and all LED lights. Also running a BikeMaster MG4L-BS battery that has 0.40 amps normal charging current, 1.2 amps maximum charging current, and 50 cca. I'm trying to find a mini switch to replace my ignition switch
 
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