spotties keep blowing fuses

[kayden.heywood]

hey, just wondering if anyone can help me out with my spotties. im running 2 100w hella spotties, on a 30amp 5 pin relay fused to 20amps and when I put a brand new fuse in they will run for about 5 minutes then they just blow the fuse. I cant find any shorts or anything and 20 amps should be plenty to run them so I have run out of ideas. if anyone can help it would be awesome :)

[Ben-e-boy]

I would first disconnect the light and turn them on, if the fuse still blows its a cabling fault, if not it is a light fault

[Yendor]

What size wire have you used?

Depending on wire size, change to a 30 amp circuit breaker.

[threedogs]

Does wire to lights get warm ????
Should be running 6mm wire for driving lights IMO

[kayden.heywood]

I would first disconnect the light and turn them on, if the fuse still blows its a cabling fault, if not it is a light fault

did that and it only pops when spotties are plugged in

[kayden.heywood]

What size wire have you used?

Depending on wire size, change to a 30 amp circuit breaker.

still blows after like a little while?

[kayden.heywood]

na doesn't get warn im only running 4mm? I got told 2.5mm was enough?

[Ben-e-boy]

did that and it only pops when spotties are plugged in


so your problems are with the spotties. pull the lense and the bulbs out and chec the wiring, preferably do a continuity check between the power and earth

[kayden.heywood]

so your problems are with the spotties. pull the lense and the bulbs out and chec the wiring, preferably do a continuity check between the power and earth

done that already there all good?

[Ben-e-boy]

done that already there all good?


have you done a continuity check on the whole circuit

[Bloodyaussie]

have you done a continuity check on the whole circuit

Benny you are starting to get me excited!!!!

[Ben-e-boy]

Benny you are starting to get me excited!!!!


I better not mention insulation resistance or fault loop impedance, or you will be spot welding your underware with delight

[Yendor]

still blows after like a little while?

What still blows? a 30 amp circuit breaker?

The 5 minutes between the fuse blowing, do both spot lights work? are they both bright?

Where have you got the earth connected for the spot light?

[kayden.heywood]

hey theres no shorts ive checked all of that earlier today and pull everything back and rewired to make sure there is no nicks or anything in the wires

[Yendor]

I better not mention insulation resistance or fault loop impedance, or you will be spot welding your underware with delight

Tell me more big boy!!!!!!! you sure know how to sweet talk someone......lol

[kayden.heywood]

What still blows? a 30 amp circuit breaker?

The 5 minutes between the fuse blowing, do both spot lights work? are they both bright?

Where have you got the earth connected for the spot light?
yeah the 30 amp blows yeah while there on for the 5 minutes there fine then the fuse just blows

[TPC]

Have you tried 1 light at a time?
Sounds like a short is appearing when they get warm.

[kayden.heywood]

Have you tried 1 light at a time?
Sounds like a short is appearing when they get warm.

just tried one light and it works fine ? but as soon as the second light goes on it blows

[TPC]

just tried one light and it works fine ? but as soon as the second light goes on it blows
Did you try each light individually?

[kayden.heywood]

yeah doesn't matter which light is on or off as soon as 2 are on it blows

[TPC]

Can you try bypassing the relay.
I have never heard of a relay getting a short like that but it sounds like you have checked everything else.

[happygu]

Don't bypass the relay if you don't have means to cut the cable quickly, you could end up with nothing left depending on why the fuse is blowing....


Can you check the current draw with a DC Ammeter?

Do you have a multimeter that can check DC Amps?

You need to check the current draw for each light individually - making sure that they draw around the same current, and also making sure it isn't exceeding the Fuse and Cable Capacity.

Mic

[happygu]

Your 100Watt Spotties should be drawing around 8.5Amps each - under your total fuse rating.

See what you get.

Mic

[nissannewby]

CHeck the polarity going to the lights? CHeck the housing isnt powered and its earthing through the bulb supply wire. I fixed this once before on a vehicle the paint on the bar must have been enough insulation for a while then it would just pop fuses like you describe. Maybe give it a go.

[kayden.heywood]

CHeck the polarity going to the lights? CHeck the housing isnt powered and its earthing through the bulb supply wire. I fixed this once before on a vehicle the paint on the bar must have been enough insulation for a while then it would just pop fuses like you describe. Maybe give it a go.

there not earthed to the bar there earthed to body in engine bay. but I thought it could be that so I just hooked in a hard earth to see if it would work and it still pops a 30 amp in 1minute 20 got any ideas on cable size maybe im running to small of cable

[shotover]

any luck with fault ?.

[Xfactor]

Change your relay, I had a relay that shorted and kept lights on after ignition turned off

[threedogs]

Where are we up to with this problem ?? sorted yet.
need a multi meter and test light to check your wiring
give us an up date