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Fuse failure Hella 500 Driving lights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by AgMechTacoma, Jan 19, 2014.

  1. Jan 19, 2014 at 6:24 AM
    #1
    AgMechTacoma

    AgMechTacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Joey
    Simpsonville/Clemson, SC
    -Fat Bob's Garage Leveling kit -DIY Satoshi Grill -Hella 500 driving lights -BHLM -Black Stock wheels -Reclining Bench Seat Mod -Black Badges -Removed Secondary Filter & Intake Resonator -Hard Wired GPS -DIY Skid Plate -Rear Differential Breather Mod -Sylvania 894 Reverse Light Mod
    I tried to use my lights yesterday, and they wouldn't come on. When I looked at the fuses I noticed one of them had gotten really hot and melted the plastic casing around it, and melted the solder in the connector. I'm just glad it didn't start a fire or anything. Anybody have an idea of what could cause this? I've had the lights for over a year and never had any problems with them before.

    IMG_0434_zps43628a12_bd80b5333fe3cca940ce4b92f1e2cf7da59b0933.jpg

    IMG_0433_zps78bce866_de89689b69f7e102ba36ecf9728c1948f5ad1c70.jpg

    IMG_0432_zpsa950e34d_810ce043d684021bbaaf9ca011c8c35e810cfa0b.jpg
     
  2. Jan 27, 2014 at 1:51 PM
    #2
    JU Boi

    JU Boi Well-Known Member

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    This exact same thing happened to me. The fuse holders that hella sends are absolute crap. Go to an auto parts store and get a new one. I happened to have 2 sets of lights so i bought two. Then splice that new one in there. I think i even put a different size fuse in it (one that could handle more load).

    As a side note. I put 100w lights in my hella 500ff and the light is incredible.

    Interested to see how this turns out.
     
  3. Jan 27, 2014 at 4:25 PM
    #3
    AgMechTacoma

    AgMechTacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    -Fat Bob's Garage Leveling kit -DIY Satoshi Grill -Hella 500 driving lights -BHLM -Black Stock wheels -Reclining Bench Seat Mod -Black Badges -Removed Secondary Filter & Intake Resonator -Hard Wired GPS -DIY Skid Plate -Rear Differential Breather Mod -Sylvania 894 Reverse Light Mod
    I think putting in a larger fuse would make the problem more dangerous. The filament that was in the 15 A fuse never failed, so it got really hot.
     
  4. Jan 27, 2014 at 4:32 PM
    #4
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Poor connection that got hot not an over load. The little plastic fuse holders are worthless for that much load. get a heavy duty ATC fuse holder. A pair of 100 watt lamps draw about 17 amps.
     
  5. Jan 27, 2014 at 4:41 PM
    #5
    AgMechTacoma

    AgMechTacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Joey
    Simpsonville/Clemson, SC
    -Fat Bob's Garage Leveling kit -DIY Satoshi Grill -Hella 500 driving lights -BHLM -Black Stock wheels -Reclining Bench Seat Mod -Black Badges -Removed Secondary Filter & Intake Resonator -Hard Wired GPS -DIY Skid Plate -Rear Differential Breather Mod -Sylvania 894 Reverse Light Mod
    I just ripped all the wiring out after it happened. I'm gonna start over with better stuff than what came with the light kit. I got a Bosch relay, heavy duty inline fuses, oem fog light switch, solder connections with shrink tubing. Gonna do it right so I never have problems again. I hate having to go back and fix stuff.
     
  6. Feb 2, 2014 at 11:14 AM
    #6
    bw4706

    bw4706 Well-Known Member

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    I hooked up 4 hella black magics and had the same problem. I threw away the fuse holders from hella and replaced them with 30 amp inline fuses and bigger gage wiring. Each set of lights has its own inline fuse and relay. Seems to be fine now.
     

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