G
Guest
·I know that many have experien
I know that many have experienced this problem in both Boxers and TRs, but this is the first time for me. During the past week, several of my fuses have heated to the point of melting the supporting fuse block. I have diagnosed the problem as one of two events: 1) loose fuse (copper supporting clips not bent close enough together) such that the contact resistance of the fuse to copper upper or lower fuse seat is too great, resulting in substantial heat and ultimately to melting of the plastic block. As this happens, the geometry of the supporting copper tabs distort, further loosening the fuse, and eccentuating the problem into a "positive feedback" condition - as it gets worse, it gets worse.
The second event that has occurred during the past week is where several positive sides of a multifuse combination is connected by a bar, and the upper fuse tab (support) is connect to the bus by a copper rivet. The rivet get loose with time, and the increased contact resistance leads to melting of the block and further distortion.
I have ordered new fuse block and will try to solder or crimp the rivets to prevent this in the future. In addition, I use a small dremel (Spelling) with brass brush to clean the fuse seats in the support tabs, and clean the ends of the fuse, and clean the tabs where the wires connect, all in an attempt to lower contact resistance. Despite these efforts, these wires and fuses get very hot.
Input is appreciated.
Jim S.
I know that many have experienced this problem in both Boxers and TRs, but this is the first time for me. During the past week, several of my fuses have heated to the point of melting the supporting fuse block. I have diagnosed the problem as one of two events: 1) loose fuse (copper supporting clips not bent close enough together) such that the contact resistance of the fuse to copper upper or lower fuse seat is too great, resulting in substantial heat and ultimately to melting of the plastic block. As this happens, the geometry of the supporting copper tabs distort, further loosening the fuse, and eccentuating the problem into a "positive feedback" condition - as it gets worse, it gets worse.
The second event that has occurred during the past week is where several positive sides of a multifuse combination is connected by a bar, and the upper fuse tab (support) is connect to the bus by a copper rivet. The rivet get loose with time, and the increased contact resistance leads to melting of the block and further distortion.
I have ordered new fuse block and will try to solder or crimp the rivets to prevent this in the future. In addition, I use a small dremel (Spelling) with brass brush to clean the fuse seats in the support tabs, and clean the ends of the fuse, and clean the tabs where the wires connect, all in an attempt to lower contact resistance. Despite these efforts, these wires and fuses get very hot.
Input is appreciated.
Jim S.