Increasing Fuse Amps In Cigarette Lighter - Safe?

[Deeceer]

I've just bought one of those plug-into-the-lighter-socket FM transmitter devices that sends an audio signal to the radio so you can play MP3s and it appears the first thing it did was blow the fuse in my 1998 T4. At least I know that the fuse was ok before because I'd run an airbed pump off it.

Anyway, I subsequently tested the device in my Ford Escape and it runs ok in there.

The Escape has a lighter fuse rated at 20A and the T4 has a 10A fuse so here's the thing - would it be ok to put a 15A or 20A fuse in the T4 so I can run this device? Would the rest of the circuit be ok or is the wiring at risk of fire with that kind of draw on it?

I must say I was surprised after running the device for only 3 or 4 minutes in the Escape to find the shaft that plugs into the lighter socket had become quite warm, bordering on hot.

I'd welcome any thoughts on the matter from anyone with auto electrics experience. It'd be quite a pity to cause a fire in the dash!

[Peter Jones]

There's no way that gadget should be pulling that sort of current.

I suggest you return it before it does damage your car.

At most I'd expect a FM transmitter to draw about 0.3 Amps, your's is drawing between 10 and 20 Amps! There's something very wrong with it.

Pete

[Deeceer]

There's no way that gadget should be pulling that sort of current.

I suggest you return it before it does damage your car.

At most I'd expect a FM transmitter to draw about 0.3 Amps, your's is drawing between 10 and 20 Amps! There's something very wrong with it.

Pete

Thanks for the advice, Pete. After I'd posted my question I checked the booklet for the air pump I'd previously used (a Coleman AirPort) and found it pulls 4-6 amps. If a little electric motor only pulls that much you're certainly right that a solid state item shouldn't be pulling over 10A. It's going back.

[The_Hawk]

Thanks for the advice, Pete. After I'd posted my question I checked the booklet for the air pump I'd previously used (a Coleman AirPort) and found it pulls 4-6 amps. If a little electric motor only pulls that much you're certainly right that a solid state item shouldn't be pulling over 10A. It's going back.

I think thats the best idea, although testing with a multi meter would be worth a shot if you have one. Your fuse may well have been old and failling due to some other incident and just happened to go at that time, although with the heat your talking about, maybe not....

[blutopless2]

There's no way that gadget should be pulling that sort of current.

agree. should be bugger all current draw for an electronic device

[Deeceer]

Well, the seller (via Oztion) was happy to replace it so it's winging its way back to him via AusPost though if the next one blows a fuse or heats up like its mate I'll be chasing a refund.

I managed to find full specs for a similar device online and that was claiming a power draw of 0.4A, plus or minus 0.1 so Pete, your original estimate was good.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Sadly the return postage is starting to make it less of the bargain it appeared in the first place.

[Transporter]

Well, the seller (via Oztion) was happy to replace it so it's winging its way back to him via AusPost though if the next one blows a fuse or heats up like its mate I'll be chasing a refund.

I managed to find full specs for a similar device online and that was claiming a power draw of 0.4A, plus or minus 0.1 so Pete, your original estimate was good.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Sadly the return postage is starting to make it less of the bargain it appeared in the first place.

Couldn't it be connector (plug) on that device?

[Deeceer]

Couldn't it be connector (plug) on that device?

Certainly it was the connector portion that got hot. It'll be 'interesting' to see how the replacement one performs.

[Deeceer]

Certainly it was the connector portion that got hot. It'll be 'interesting' to see how the replacement one performs.

... And the replacement appears to perform ok. The plug gets a little warm over time but it doesn't blow the fuse.

Thanks to all for assistance with this