Why does my tower lights blow....

(barry) · (barry) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 08-02-2003, 11:33 AM

A fuse if they're left on for more then 5 minutes at a time?
Blah.

B-

g_money 08-02-2003, 12:55 PM

Your lights are too big for the wiring. You are probably drawing too many amps through the fuse.

Try using a relay to run the lights and increase the size of the wire and fuse.

Galen

(barry) · (barry) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 08-02-2003, 1:24 PM

I'm running a relay and using 14 gauge copper wire.The light bar came with a 15 amp in-line.. everything I'm using is what came with the system.

I'm lost.

B-

chadna 08-02-2003, 1:43 PM

16 gauge is way to small. I pullled 10 from the battery to the lights and used a relay.

(magic) · (magic) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 08-02-2003, 5:07 PM

How many lights and watts?

watts/voltage = amps

so

55watts/12volts=4.58amps

I'm guessing you have 55watt lights and 12v is a bit low but close enough.

If you have four lights, your pulling ~18amps. Thats all before you look at wiring (resistance) and other factors.

Is your wire getting hot any where? Do you have a good ground? Things need to flow both ways, don't just run a fat + and smaller - wire. Run them both the same size and use as short as possible ground wire.

I'd check every things couple of times and make sure it's all connected tightly.

Other wise, try Galen's suggestion. Rewire the system and try a 20 amp fuse. Don't just drop a 20 amp fuse in there now, you have a problem somewhere that needs to be fixed first.

(barry) · (barry) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 08-02-2003, 5:35 PM

I'm not going to re-wire those things, they'll sit there and look pretty before I go through that mess again. I'll throw another fuse in and see if the wire's getting hot anywhere.. I know that right after the fuse blew, the fuse wire was really hot..

B-

norcal_99 08-03-2003, 2:00 PM

Use aluminum foil it works great.

typer 08-03-2003, 4:57 PM

Im running 4 55w lights using 10gauge wire and a 30amp fuse and no problems.

chris_hargis 08-04-2003, 8:15 AM

If the fuse wire is hot after it blows, then it is too small for the load. I had a similar problem with mine and had to rewire it. I know it's a big hassle, but they work fine now. They will also be brighter with the larger wire since they will be getting the right amount of juice.