• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Stinking, no good, ratzenfratzen fuses!

Share this page

jaybird

jaybird

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Blew two more fuses to the radio yesterday when I had the B out. Didn't blow the 17amp one under the hood this time, just the radio. I have a half dozen extra ones in the glove box, so I'm prepared. But this is getting ANNOYING!

Last 4 times it blew, I had a cd in. Draw more power doing that maybe? And it happens when I turn up the volume.

Can I go up to a bigger fuse (in amps) to see if that will solve the problem?


((I think we need a rant/rave forum here!) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
What size fuse do you have in there now? Fuses blow for a reason, which is to protect the wires from melting, if you have the proper size fuse in there according to the specs of the radio, I would be very hesitant about putting in larger fuse until I found the cause of the large power draw.
 
3 amp? The fuses say Buss AGC 3A 250V.

Radio specs? Umm, it's a JVC, 18 preset stations, a cd player, removable face plate. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
I know. I need to know how many watts the stereo is and the speakers, right?
 
Radio is 50 watts x 4. Door speakers are Infinity, 75 watts peak, back speakers are Sony 180 watts peak. I think. I can't find the boxes anywhere. Dahubby has them tucked away somewhere in the garage--if he kept them.
 
JB Look at the radio instructions and see what they call out for fuse size. The current modern radio systems seem to use a fuse with a 5-or-6 amp rating. If you can determine from the literature for the radio what its maximum current draw is a fuse size can be calculated. Also you might just try a 3A Slow Blow fuse it may cure the problem.___Keoke
No JB ,What is needed is the "Current" consumed by the radio expressed in Amperes.
 
[ QUOTE ]
JB Look at the radio instructions and see what they call out for fuse size. The current modern radio systems seem to use a fuse with a 5-or-6 amp rating. If you can determine from the literature for the radio what its maximum current draw is a fuse size can be calculated. Also you might just try a 3A Slow Blow fuse it may cure the problem.___Keoke
No JB ,What is needed is the "Current" consumed by the radio expressed in Amperes.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks. I'll have to wait to find out what dahubby did with the radio book. I can't even reset the clock in that bloody thing right now. It should be in the glove box, but nah, that would be too simple. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
OK JB, LOL---Keoke

Maybe two Adam,but even thats cutting it pretty close---

Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Yes, if you put a big enough fuse in there the circuit will be 'protected' by your $400 wiring harness which will melt to save the $100 radio.

If you can get access to an ammeter it is pretty easy to measure the draw of any accessory by placing the meter in series with the device. I have charted the draw of everything on my cars (slow day I guess) so I know what the current requirements are for any combination.

Of course the other possibility is a short which would blow any size fuse -- but more likely it is just drawing more than 3a. And to answer your other question, a CD playing should draw more than just radio due to the motor.

I expect the wiring for the stereo will have a capacity much higher than the 3 amps but knowing the exact draw will enable you to be sure you have a big enough gauge wire and appropriate fuse protection.
 
PFFFFFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTT! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif
 
AHA! Dahubby's home. He thinks he's going to shower and flop on the sofa and watch football. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
The fuse spec that you quoted was "3A x 250W". A 3 amp fuse is not enough for a radio with CD. Go to at least a 10 amp and you will have longer fuse life. You should also find out why the 17 amp fuse blew by isolating that circuit.
 
Hello John, I think that is about right.However, for JB's peace of mind and not being able to see the actual installation I just wanted to sneak up on the value. We will try a 4 AMP Slow Blow and see if it holds.-OK JB---Keoke
 
4 amp slow blow? I can buy some of those. I figured it was because the cd player is pulling more power. Thanks you guys, you're the best!
 
Yes JB Slow Blow fuses are Quite common, go to a good electronic supply and specifically ask for the Slow blow type.If 4Amp is not available take 5 Amp ones will be OK. Let us know how you get on.--Regards---Keoke------ Hold the Kudos we ain't fixed it yet /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif---OH JB there should be two fuses used by the radio can you tell me what size the other one is??_Keoke
 
Back
Top