My Hella Micro DE Xenon's blow my fuse

[dave1100]

I have two Hella Micro DE Xenon wired through the indicator cancelling switch with an inline 10amp fuse on my 1150.

Problem is my lamps work great for an hour or so and then, bang, the fuse goes?! I also have FF50's wired in but they only come on with main beam.

Ive checked all the wireing and cant see anything wrong, but I didnt fit them and have zero idea with electrics. Is this a a common fault or unique to me and what the best way to resolve it?

Any help appreciated as the Xenons are great for that first 30 minutes until they blow the fuse!

Dave

 

[Tarka]

What is the combined wattage of the lamps being fed by that 10 amp fuse ??

Divide the wattage by the voltage ( 12 ) to get the amperage ( current ).

The fuse is most likely just being overloaded,based on the fact that it`s lasting about half an hour....

 

[judge]

No mention of a relay in use here. Both my sets of lights run with relays, just a thought....

 

[Mouse]

Are these HID (discharge) lamps? I wouldn't be surprised if this type of lamp can pull "surges" of current under some circumstances.

Try a "delayed action" fuse, if you can get one in a high enough rating. Or maybe just try a 15A fuse - after all, the fuse is to protect against a short circuit or similar fault, which will draw way more than 15A.

 

[dave1100]

Cheers for the quick answer.

They do use a relay and the fuse should be 10amp (we worked out that calculation to be a 10amp) I guess trying a 15amp would be OK. But am I liable to fry the wiring or something else!?!

 

[trotsky]

If I recall correctly the standard Hella XD spots are 110W so the Xenon should be less and hence be fine with a 10A fuse on a 12V electrical system. I think I'd wonder about the delay in blowing - they should be fairly stable after an hour and I wouldn't expect the fuse to go then. Is something else in the circuit or are they (as Judge says) on a relay?

I'd go back and check the wattage and see if they recommend a fuse - it should be in the fitting instructions - it would only need to go up a bit from 110W for a 10A fuse to be as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

Quick Search gave me a suggested 35W but 15A(?) see here (how is your Dutch?). So might be worth an uprated fuse as a test.

 

[turbine_2]

I have each of my Hella Micro Xenon DEs separately wired and fused and occasionally I can blow the 10A fuse on one of them when they fire up. Although they're 35W according to the bulbs I believe they have a high surge current, however that would cause the fuse to blow when they were turned on rather than after they've been running for a while.
Can you see the fuse when they're running? If so, can you see it getting hot just at the start (which could weaken them) or just staying constant (i.e. no initial glow)?
What reading do you get if you stick an ammeter in place of the fuse?

 

[turbine_2]

I guess trying a 15amp would be OK. But am I liable to fry the wiring or something else!?!

Depends, what wiring did you use?

 

[Rugged Path]

Hella micro xenons

Dave,

I would be interested to know where you have positioned the two ballast boxes. I have installed everything except those two vital compnents.
Go on Dave, give us a clue. :teddy

 

[dave1100]

Ah ha! Well so many questions! The trouble is I bought the bike with the lights fitted, I have no instructions and didnt wire them in myself. I have read about the ballast boxes but have not a clue what (or where) they are on my bike. Are these the transformers that the lights need? I have to say they look great on the bike, I have the two gas lights under two FF50's and it looks mean.
Think I'll do some more tests as you advise and see what I can suss out, my dutch is crap but that soes say 15amp so maybe thats the answer?!

Will try and sort this weekend and maybe that'll fix 'em, will report back my findings...

 

[ELIMINATOR]

DAVE1100 & turbine 2
I am thinking about getting some of these Hella DE xenon lights, how do you rate them. Apart from the blowing of fuses?

 

[turbine_2]

In a word, stunning. The light is bright and spread well, so you get a much better outlook at night. I've got mine wired in on a switch off the standard (non main beam) lights and have them aimed low so as not to blind anyone and even like that I've more than enough visibility. Cars notice them a lot more when I'm filtering in London, especially in daylight.

Overall, money well spent.

 

[dave1100]

Yes I'd agree with that, they are spot on (excuse the pun) you feel so much more visible with them on. I have been advised against fitting a 15amp fuse as the 10amp should do the job (and blows apart not just pops) so I'll have to get a proffessional to take a look, probably just a wire shorting somewhere. mine are wired through the indicator cancellor switch (see the excellent nippy norman web site) which is neat and tidy.