Fuse Burnt After Bulb Change

Sped1966 · 10-11-2009

Hey fellow cruisers. First off this forum is great. I have heard and learned a lot from a lot of cool riders. I've only had my vulcan 900 custom 3 or 4 months...love it. Was just needing an answer to a question.....I'm basically a newbie. I recently changed headlight bulbs from a H4 85/80 to a Wagner BP1210-H4 100/80. About an hour after riding I burnt the 10 amp headlight fuse. Was this coincidence or do I need to go to a little bigger fuse. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.
Thanks...........sped1966

BrianTSmith99 · 10-11-2009

If I "did the math" right, 100 watts at 12 v should be 8.3 amps. So unless you have something else on that circuit you should be under the 10. It is never a good idea to swap a fuse to a larger size.

Are there any electrical mods to the bike?

Initially I'd try a new 10A fuse and the old bulb and see what happens.

Brian

Sped1966 · 10-11-2009

I did add two 4 cluster led accent pods and about 6 single led's. Would that make the difference. I put the 80/85 back in and so far no burnt fuse.

BrianTSmith99 · 10-11-2009

I also got that as a "private message", and not being sure if my response went out, copying it here. (I *AM* the newbie

)

LEDs use almost 0 power. You'd have to have MANY to make a difference. Hmmmm. The danger with "upsizing" the fuse is the wire harness was designed and sized with that fuse in mind. It sounds like you are just "going over" for whatever reason. What I'd do... Run a NICE FAT WIRE (one size larger than what is currently running to the headlight) from the battery, thru the upsize fuse, thru a relay controlled by the old headlight wire. So rather than powering the headlight from the old wire, the old wire is activating the new relay, that is powering the headlight.

Someone here referenced...

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Pr...s/h4_kits.html

that could simplify your life. They sell some neat stuff. I'm ordering one of their fuse blocks.

Brian

RichLockyer · 10-11-2009

LEDs draw less than incandescent, but they do not draw "almost 0".
This is particularly the case with low voltage systems. While LEDs present a significant savings on 120v systems, the savings is less so at 12v.

What is the actual wattage rating and/or current draw on the clusters that were installed?

While 8.3a is okay for a 10a fuse, it is still on the ragged edge of the recommended 80% continuous current capacity (fuses should not be run 24/7 at more than 80% of their rating). Any excess current draw in the system, coupled with manufacturing tolerances in the fuse and lamps, can cause it to blow.

LabGuy · 10-11-2009

If I'm following correctly, you have a total of 14 led's. At roughly 24 miliamps each, that would be 336 miliamps, or roughly 1/3 amp. Add that to the 8.3 amps draw of the headlight, and you've got 8.6 amps, without factoring in the tail light and front running lights. Blown fuse time.

RichLockyer · 10-11-2009

Taillight, front running lights, and brake light are on their own fuse on the 900 and 1600. Headlight is dedicated.

anarkust · 10-12-2009

The OP never mentioned which circuit he connected the leds up to. He might have a dedicated circuit, or maybe he did hook it up to the wiring in the headlight bucket. Unless it's connected to the wiring in the bucket, I don't see what reason the leds would be adding to the draw from the headlight fuse and possibly blowing it.

Ride4Life · 10-12-2009

could have possibly been a bad bulb, i ran the bp1200 but the reason i dont anymore is it only lasted 4 months

RichLockyer · 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ride4Life

could have possibly been a bad bulb, i ran the bp1200 but the reason i dont anymore is it only lasted 4 months

My first one went about 6, but the 2nd one went almost 2 years before I replaced it with an HID system.

2thdr · 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

My first one went about 6, but the 2nd one went almost 2 years before I replaced it with an HID system.

I LOVED the HID's on my Honda S2000. Rich, does yours do the high beam and the low? What one did you get? Thanks.

Steve

RichLockyer · 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2thdr

I LOVED the HID's on my Honda S2000. Rich, does yours do the high beam and the low? What one did you get? Thanks.

Yup.... 35w, 6000k, direct H4 replacement with high and low (movable burner, not a secondary halogen lamp), for under $100.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...d-ballast.html

I put the system in my '93 Blazer too.

Twopoint · 10-12-2009

something I didn't see mentioned, check to make sure you have good connections. a loose connection or some corrosion will cause some increase resistance to the circuit, which will in turn increase the amperage draw

2thdr · 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Yup.... 35w, 6000k, direct H4 replacement with high and low (movable burner, not a secondary halogen lamp), for under $100.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...d-ballast.html

I put the system in my '93 Blazer too.

Thanks, I'll check into those...

10-11-2009	#1 (permalink)
Sped1966 sped1966 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Odessa, Texas Posts: 6	Fuse Burnt After Bulb Change Hey fellow cruisers. First off this forum is great. I have heard and learned a lot from a lot of cool riders. I've only had my vulcan 900 custom 3 or 4 months...love it. Was just needing an answer to a question.....I'm basically a newbie. I recently changed headlight bulbs from a H4 85/80 to a Wagner BP1210-H4 100/80. About an hour after riding I burnt the 10 amp headlight fuse. Was this coincidence or do I need to go to a little bigger fuse. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. Thanks...........sped1966

10-11-2009	#2 (permalink)
BrianTSmith99 Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 128	If I "did the math" right, 100 watts at 12 v should be 8.3 amps. So unless you have something else on that circuit you should be under the 10. It is never a good idea to swap a fuse to a larger size. Are there any electrical mods to the bike? Initially I'd try a new 10A fuse and the old bulb and see what happens. Brian __________________ '08 Ninja 500 '85 Pontiac Fiero with 4.9l Caddy V8

10-11-2009	#3 (permalink)
Sped1966 sped1966 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Odessa, Texas Posts: 6	added led's I did add two 4 cluster led accent pods and about 6 single led's. Would that make the difference. I put the 80/85 back in and so far no burnt fuse.

10-11-2009	#4 (permalink)
BrianTSmith99 Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 128	I also got that as a "private message", and not being sure if my response went out, copying it here. (I AM the newbie ) LEDs use almost 0 power. You'd have to have MANY to make a difference. Hmmmm. The danger with "upsizing" the fuse is the wire harness was designed and sized with that fuse in mind. It sounds like you are just "going over" for whatever reason. What I'd do... Run a NICE FAT WIRE (one size larger than what is currently running to the headlight) from the battery, thru the upsize fuse, thru a relay controlled by the old headlight wire. So rather than powering the headlight from the old wire, the old wire is activating the new relay, that is powering the headlight. Someone here referenced... http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Pr...s/h4_kits.html that could simplify your life. They sell some neat stuff. I'm ordering one of their fuse blocks. Brian __________________ '08 Ninja 500 '85 Pontiac Fiero with 4.9l Caddy V8

10-11-2009	#5 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	LEDs draw less than incandescent, but they do not draw "almost 0". This is particularly the case with low voltage systems. While LEDs present a significant savings on 120v systems, the savings is less so at 12v. What is the actual wattage rating and/or current draw on the clusters that were installed? While 8.3a is okay for a 10a fuse, it is still on the ragged edge of the recommended 80% continuous current capacity (fuses should not be run 24/7 at more than 80% of their rating). Any excess current draw in the system, coupled with manufacturing tolerances in the fuse and lamps, can cause it to blow. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

10-11-2009	#6 (permalink)
LabGuy Old Dudes Rule BTK Beginner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 116	If I'm following correctly, you have a total of 14 led's. At roughly 24 miliamps each, that would be 336 miliamps, or roughly 1/3 amp. Add that to the 8.3 amps draw of the headlight, and you've got 8.6 amps, without factoring in the tail light and front running lights. Blown fuse time. __________________ Mike- '06 900 Classic Centreville, Va.

10-11-2009	#7 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	Taillight, front running lights, and brake light are on their own fuse on the 900 and 1600. Headlight is dedicated. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

10-12-2009	#8 (permalink)
anarkust Night Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 606	The OP never mentioned which circuit he connected the leds up to. He might have a dedicated circuit, or maybe he did hook it up to the wiring in the headlight bucket. Unless it's connected to the wiring in the bucket, I don't see what reason the leds would be adding to the draw from the headlight fuse and possibly blowing it. __________________ '08 Vulcan 900 Classic - *"Jessica"*

10-12-2009	#9 (permalink)
Ride4Life 900 LT BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 898	could have possibly been a bad bulb, i ran the bp1200 but the reason i dont anymore is it only lasted 4 months __________________ 2007 900 LT Ebony / Galaxy Silver CC Envy??? Never had it - Never will

10-12-2009	#13 (permalink)
Twopoint Apprentice Bug Killer BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pacific NorthWet!, a crossed the water from Seattle Posts: 238	something I didn't see mentioned, check to make sure you have good connections. a loose connection or some corrosion will cause some increase resistance to the circuit, which will in turn increase the amperage draw __________________ 05 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI V&H longshots PC III VROC #27909 Bike Pics

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