Electrical problem/question

[nevtat]

The trike kit adds 4 rear stop/running/turn signals. While riding today, that circuit blew a 15 amp fuse. I re-installed the ground for that circuit as the lights are mounted in fiberglass and require their own ground and installed a 25 amp fuse in that circuit. I'm thinking the 4 additional lights are drawing too much current for that 15 amp circuit, but I'm no electrical engineer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. http://www.triketalk.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif

 

[Nauga Mok]

Try using LED bulbs. They pull way less power than standard bulbs do. Double check your wiring for a pinched wire. The 15 amp should handle the additional load. <br />
<br />
NM

 

[Lunchbox1983]

15 amp should work, my guess is it was your ground. The danger with using a larger fuse is burning up your equiptment or worst your trike.<br />
<br />
Keep a box of extra fuses on board, as I have been able to come to the rescue of many other bikes along the way.

 

[Gorilla]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>nevtat</strong>
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<div class="message">The trike kit adds 4 rear stop/running/turn signals. While riding today, that circuit blew a 15 amp fuse. I re-installed the ground for that circuit as the lights are mounted in fiberglass and require their own ground and installed a 25 amp fuse in that circuit. I'm thinking the 4 additional lights are drawing too much current for that 15 amp circuit, but I'm no electrical engineer. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. <a href="http://www.triketalk.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif" target="_blank">http://www.triketalk.com/forum/image...s/confused.gif</a></div>

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</div>the problem with putting a 25 amp fuse on a 15 amp circuit is that you can allow the wire to heat up from pushing to much power thru to small guage wire. its like a toaster thin wire high current. if in act you need the higher current draw then some type of redesign of the power feeds would be necessary. as suggested use led bulbs to lower demand.

 

[nevtat]

Thanks for all your ideas. Of course using the 15 amp fuse is the best way to go. These electrical problems make me realize my limitations, as Clint Eastwood would point out. Anyway, it was my big fat butt that was causing the problem. When I bounced on the seat I was also making the seat pan strike the connectors under it causing the short. I re-routed the connectors/wires and all is well.

 

[Lunchbox1983]

Glad you found it, shorts, and or connection problems can drive you insane trying to find them. What's the old joke it always the last place you look.

 

[Gorilla]

Thanks for all your ideas. Of course using the 15 amp fuse is the best way to go. These electrical problems make me realize my limitations, as Clint Eastwood would point out. Anyway, it was my big fat butt that was causing the problem. When I bounced on the seat I was also making the seat pan strike the connectors under it causing the short. I re-routed the connectors/wires and all is well.

good job finding the short

 

[nevtat]

Re: Electrical problem/question/Update

Took the trike out this morning and blew the fuse again within 1/2 mile of the house. Spoke to my "cage" mechanic and we added the current draw of all the lights supported by that one 15 amp fuse. It's no wonder it kept blowing! The addition of four incandescent bulbs was too much for that circuit. I changed all five rear stop/running tail light bulbs to LED and I can't get that fuse to blow. <br />
Today's road test proved the point, no blown fuses. <br />
<br />
That one circuit supports the head light, both driving lights, the front turn signal running lights, and all five rear stop/running bulbs. If a guy wanted to continue to use the incandescent bulbs, he could re-wire the stop/running lights to their own fused circuit. <br />
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