lighting problem,

[Lothos]

I just installed this Hella 500 in my jeep replacing my OEM fog lamps. The setup comes with a 15amp inline fuse on the battery side of the relay feeding the lamps. I keep popping this thing and its driving me crazy. My setup is the unswitched method with the relay tripper spliced onto the OEM fog circuit so I can use the OEM fog switch. If memory serves I should be pulling no more than 9.16amps thru the circuit. I don't have a short to ground I'm aware of, but will double check.

[Monkeyevil]

55w * 2 = 110W/12v should be pulling 9.1 amps.

Sounds like a ground issue.

[clarkstoncracker]

Originally Posted by monkeyevil

55w * 2 = 110W/12v should be pulling 9.1 amps.

Sounds like a ground issue.

x2

If a bigger ground resistance then normal is formed, the amperage goes up..

[Haggar]

No, its cold outside....

Inrush on an incandescant bulb is up to 10x rated current, with it being highest under cold ambient conditions.

Besides, 55ww is nominal rated power at 12 volts. Since you aren't running 12 volts, its a bit more. At 13.8 volts you might be sitting more around 72 watts, +/- 10 volts..

I'd consider increasing the wiring to 12 or 14 gauge and running a 20 amp fuse.

[Lothos]

I think I may have an idea to the problem. I wired the grounds for both lights to what I believed to be a good ground. I don't think it is and the circuit is thus shorting out through the grounds between the lights.

Oh, I run dual yellow tops. My voltage fully charged is typically 13.9-14.2. My worry is when the engine is running and my mean green alternator is kicking at capacity :) Also, the Hella bulbs are H3 halogens:


Kit Contents:

2 Model 500 Lamps
2 H3 12V55W halogen bulbs
2 stone shields
color-coded wiring harness with fused 12V relay
illuminated rocker switch and installation parts

[5.9zj]

Originally Posted by Haggar

No, its cold outside....

Inrush on an incandescant bulb is up to 10x rated current, with it being highest under cold ambient conditions.

Besides, 55ww is nominal rated power at 12 volts. Since you aren't running 12 volts, its a bit more. At 13.8 volts you might be sitting more around 72 watts, +/- 10 volts..

I'd consider increasing the wiring to 12 or 14 gauge and running a 20 amp fuse.

yep you hit the nail on the head. Every time the transient current exceeds the fuse value you fatigue the fuse and short the life. To top it off when the fuse is at higher ambient temperature (say ~100C) in the engine bay, it will not handle as much current.

however it seems like hella would have taken all of this into account when they designed the kit.

[Lothos]

Redid my wiring for the ground side of the lights power circuit and while the lights came on finally, they blew the fuse after about 5-10 seconds. I ran the ground back to the battery, so my ground is good. I may try a 20 or 25 amp fuse next since it's a 30amp relay they're going through.

K, 20A and 25A fuses net the same result. wtf is shorted now?

[Lothos]

Disconnected one light and it works just fine on the 15A fuse. Wierd that it would be shorting through the lights and not working like the kit is designed. Going to run a second loop with relay for the other lamp I guess.