• Forum
• Gallery
• Shop
• Sponsors

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > In Car Electronics > Light Bar Fuse Melting

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Print this entire topic ·

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

Light Bar Fuse Melting I’ve been out and about in Yorkshire this weekend and have been making use of the collapsed star fitted to the 90’s roof. However, I was noticing a smell of very hot electrics/plastic. Eventually the light bar cut out. After a quick look in the fuse panel, the 15A fuse had melted. I have limited knowledge on electrickery. It’s not my forte. Does anyone have an idea as to why the fuse would melt? I don’t want to just slap a bigger fuse in if there’s a problem hiding. The light bar is stated to have a current draw of 12A at 24v. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

13th Jan 2020 9:17pm

topless_matt Member Since: 29 Mar 2015 Location: norfolk Posts: 68	Sounds like there is a short somewhere in the circuit. Is there any condensation or moisture in the lightbar? Hold my beer and watch this!
13th Jan 2020 9:21pm

UtilityTruck Member Since: 09 Jan 2014 Location: Oxford Posts: 463	Is it definitely 12A at 24V? If so, that’s 24A at 12V. If it’s 12A at 12V, your fuse could be a little bigger and still be safe.. try 18A. 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
13th Jan 2020 9:28pm

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

I did wonder if there was a short but it was professionally installed not long ago. No condensation in the bar. Yes it’s quoted as 12A at 24V. OK then, I’ll try an 18A and see how that goes! Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

13th Jan 2020 9:39pm

UtilityTruck Member Since: 09 Jan 2014 Location: Oxford Posts: 463	If it’s rated 12A @ 24V then it will draw 24A on a 12V system like the defender, so you’ll need a much bigger fuse plus make sure your wiring and relay are up to the job, I know you said it was professionally installed but if they fitted a 15A fuse I’d be getting a second opinion on the whole install.  2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
13th Jan 2020 10:00pm

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

OK thanks. It seems like the fuse is probably far too small for the light bar. It’s a Mobile Centre harness that I had made up so it should be good quality. I think I’ll start by going up to a 20A fuse and see how that fares.  Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

13th Jan 2020 10:22pm

bankz5152 Member Since: 02 Feb 2017 Location: South London/North Kent Posts: 2149	30 amp fuse. Instagram @defender_ventures Empire Tuning - Agent
14th Jan 2020 6:16am

topless_matt Member Since: 29 Mar 2015 Location: norfolk Posts: 68	topless_matt wrote: Sounds like there is a short somewhere in the circuit. Is there any condensation or moisture in the lightbar? Sorry misread the 24v part. As above needs a suitable fuse as the 15 is very under rated. However as above I would check the whole install if it was supplied fitted with a 15 amp fuse. Hold my beer and watch this!
14th Jan 2020 7:01am

Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4205	What light bar have you got? Must be like staring into the sun. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
14th Jan 2020 7:23am

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

OK, seems the general consensus is that the fuse is too small. I’ll have a quick check over all of the wiring. It’s a GRP 54” light bar. It’s good for illuminating pretty much everything and also for burning out the eyes of oncoming motorists.  Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

14th Jan 2020 8:10am

grafty99 Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: North Devon Posts: 4785

If it came fitted with a 15A fuse then the whole loom might not be rated for the current you'll be pulling through it. If you put a big amp fuse in wiring that isn't designed for it then the wiring becomes the fuse. Things then start getting messy  2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon 1990 Vogue SE Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton

14th Jan 2020 8:19am

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

That is a concern . . . I’ve sent Mobile Centre an email asking what the whole harness is rated to. Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

14th Jan 2020 8:29am

DuncanS Member Since: 06 Dec 2013 Location: Cumbria Posts: 299

Be aware a blade fuse only blows at DOUBLE the rating on the fuse, so your 15a will only blow completely at 30a, which is why it was starting to go. Always ensure that the cable is rated for more than the face value figure of the fuse, and try and keep that fuse rating as close to the current draw of that circuit. You will find that any good quality automotive cable will handle spike loads of double the normal rating for five seconds or less, and after that point the fuse blows anyway. North Cumbria Search and Rescue - Team Leader

14th Jan 2020 8:59am

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

I think I need to wait and see what Mobile Centre have to say about the harness. Once I’ve had that info I can look to swap the fuse or the whole harness. But it’s clear now that a 15A fuse is too small. Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

14th Jan 2020 9:27am

BaronDefenders Member Since: 28 Jun 2019 Location: London/Cotswolds Posts: 895

I’ve just been on the phone with Mobile Centre who are going to make me a new harness. They’ve said that the harness is being overloaded and hence the fuse is melting and not blowing. The harness I currently have is rated to 15A. The GRP 4x4 light bar is probably drawing about 42A. GRP told me it draws 4A in an email whilst they quote 24A on their website but the figures for Wattage make a figure of around 42A. Charlie 1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD) 2002 Td5 90 (SOLD) 2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD) 1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored) 1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE) 2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK) 2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build) Instagram: @BaronDefenders

14th Jan 2020 11:08am

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

All times are GMT Jump to  Select a forum General Technical Maintenance & Modifications In Car Electronics Wheels & Tyres Tdi V8 Td5 Puma (Tdci) 130 Defender Celebration Series & Classic Works Series Land Rovers My Defender Spotted Events Pictures & Video Expedition & Overland Camping, Caravanning and Holidays Land Rover Customer Relations General & Technical (L663) Orders 2021MY (L663) Orders 2022MY (L663) Orders 2023/24MY (L663) Orders 2025MY Faults & Fixes (L663) Wheels & Tyres (L663) In Car Electronics (L663) My New Defender (L663) Modifications & Maintenance (L663) P400e Area (L663) V8 P525 Area (L663) Pictures & Video (L663) INEOS Grenadier Europe Australia & New Zealand Africa North America & Canada For Sale & Wanted For Sale & Wanted (L663) eBay & Bargain Spots Group Buys Dealership & Sponsor Feedback Finance & Insurance Stolen A-Plan Insurance Advanced Factors CSK Land Rovers Duckworth Parts Empire Tuning Other Site Sponsors Site News & Feedback Off Topic

<  Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis