DeTomaso Mailing List: September 99, Message #10

Anyone know what the peak amperage of Flex-o-lite dual sucker fans? I 
ask this because I've been going through about a fuse a week on this
 circuit ever since i put the new fans on. A couple times, it looks as though
 the fuse hasn't really blown, but has more like melted, as though it were hot,
 not hot enough to melt the fuse, but just hot enough to deform it. 

As Forest can testify, I have some flaky wiring too, but I am inclined to think
 that these fuses are not blowing due to a short somewhere, which would
 tend to more explosively destroy the fuse. It looks as though the fuse is just
 running hot, there is a decent amount of current flowing through it which
 eventually deforms it to the point where it doesn't fit anymore, and the
 current is interrupted. This is a 25 amp fuse. 

If dual flex-a-lites actually draw close to 25 amps, could I safely replace this
 fuse with, say, 30 or 35 amps or would I be asking this entire circuit to do
 something it was not designed to do, and therefore be setting myself up for
 trouble?

TIA

Charlie McCall 
1972 DeTomaso Pantera Pre-L #3847
"Raising Pantera Awareness in France"

>>> Rick Moseley <moseleya@pacbell.net> 08/31/99 10:28PM >>>
JDeRyke@aol.com wrote:
>
> radiator fans- 6-15 amps each depending on whats in there now


Just an FYI:
The new SPAL (Wilkinson) fans have a startup peak above 20
amps (but less than 30), blew a few fuses finding that
one!!.  Haven't had a chance to check the nominal "running"
current but would suspect they are somewhere in the teens
when they get the current they want.  Which definitely is
NOT at idle.....

FWIW:
I had a lot of "lookers" at the application I put together
for the remote fuses and relays that I am currently running
for the headlights and radiator fans.  Looks like I'm gonna
have to make up a few complete kits for a few folks who took
a real interest.... 

Rick
#6653