13 replies to this topic

[sam_1275_carbon_sprite]

i've put some spotlights on my mini today, using 1 relay for 2 spots, and another for the other 2.

the switch feed for both is off the main beam switch, the live(s) are off the starter solenoid. i haxve a 15 amp fuse between the spots and the relay on both. the problem is, the inner spots have just chewed up 3 15amp fuses in a row, (i have earthed all spots to the bar, and the earth points on the relays to a propper earth poit.

is something just touching something it shouldn't be? or is it more likely to be a dodgey relay? the live feed seems ok to both as i swopped them over, and the 2 outside ones work on either feed

are the inner spots arcing out on something

i cant really think why it isnt blowing both fuses,

any help will be gratefully received

cheers
sam

[Figs122uk]

Mine's on the same fuse as the Radio Ect. And is a 35amp

[shorty]

what size fuses are they that are blowing?

tried putting a suitable but slighty higher rating one in (as long as it isnt higher than what it should be)

[sam_1275_carbon_sprite]

its a 15 amp, came in the wiring kit, i tried a secone 15amp, which blew straight aweay, then a 25 just to be silly, but it blew that too :S

[shorty]

unplug one of the spots on the relay that keeps getting the fuse blown...and see if the one that is left plugged in causes the fuse to blow...if not..plug the other one back in and unplug the other one..could be a way to determine if its one spot in particular.

have you check all the connections and the earths for them?

[sam_1275_carbon_sprite]

unplug one of the spots on the relay that keeps getting the fuse blown...and see if the one that is left plugged in causes the fuse to blow...if not..plug the other one back in and unplug the other one..could be a way to determine if its one spot in particular.

have you check all the connections and the earths for them?

ive checked most of them, but i only finished the installation under lamp light because it was getting dark so probably missed an earth, but yeah ill go and buy a big pack of fuses tommorow and fault find it

it don't half blow with a crack tho :S

[shorty]

what bulbs are in the spots...55watt?

tried putting the two spots that havent blown a fuse onto the relay of the two spots that are blowing fuses. that way you can see if its the spots causing the fuses to go or if its down to the wiring

but hearing a crack as you said does not sound good

Edited by shorty, 06 August 2009 - 11:02 PM.

[sam_1275_carbon_sprite]

yeah there brand new 55w spots from huddersfield mini spares, no lol the crack isn't too reassuring, something must be doing some serious arcing onto some metalwork somewhere, methinks after swapping over relays (like you suggested) tomorrow, i'll also try adding an excessive amount of earthing (i.e a dedicated earth per spot instead of earthing all to the bar like my dad suggested) lol

[shorty]

lol i didnt say swap the relays over aha
just put the other two lights onto the relay that keeps getting a blown fuse and see if the same problem occurs that way it will either tell you one of two things
1) if it doesnt blow then its ure lights
2) if it does still blow theres some wiring issue going on (my guess is this one)

Edit: thought of testing each wire to each spot to see how much current each one is getting?

Edited by shorty, 06 August 2009 - 11:16 PM.

[MiniMonty]

When you say "I have earthed all spots to the bar" do you mean the lamp bar they are mounted onto ?
If so this may be the cause of your woes. Try a temporary test of earthing them to the body and see if it
makes a difference.

Best wishes
Monty

[sam_1275_carbon_sprite]

yep thats exactly what i meant lol,

ty for the suggestion,

will do


think i'll start by doing a proper job of earthing the spots, then see if the fuse consumption is reduced lol XD

[Burnard]

i blew a few fuses when my rear lights wernt earth properly, fixed the earths and it stopped blowing fuses, so id be pretty confident that is your problem.

Your earths to the bar may be fine, but the bar earthing back to the car could be a problem, you could just run a wire from one of the bars mounting bolts to the body work, should keep wireing to a minimum and still work effectivly.



Chris

[sam_1275_carbon_sprite]

coolio, so plan

step 1 : go and buy a $h1t load of 15amp fuses (lol)

step 2 : 1 earth from bar to car

then if that doesnt work

step 3 : wire each individual earth on each spot to the car

step 4 : it works

if this isn't the case

more tedium and fault finding :/

cheers guys

[MRA]

Mine's on the same fuse as the Radio Ect. And is a 35amp

A fuse is there to protect the wiring (and the driver / passengers) putting a 35A fuse in line with a radio which would normally be about 10A is very dangerous....

Regards Martin