Fuses

[RichZ]

Today, for the second time in 2 weeks, the fuse for my radio and dome light blew in my Kubota 4630. It's a 10 amp fuse. Would I hurt anything if I up it to a 15 amp fuse?

Thanks!!

[Wayne County Hose]

It just may. These fuses are designed to blow before any circuit damage happens from the excessive current. Usually when this is happening, you'll just blow the bigger fuse anyway. You are far better off just finding the short.

[frank_f15]

Originally Posted by RichZ

Today, for the second time in 2 weeks, the fuse for my radio and dome light blew in my Kubota 4630. It's a 10 amp fuse. Would I hurt anything if I up it to a 15 amp fuse?

Thanks!!

I would not increase the fuse size, seems to me that just a radiao and 1 dome light should not blow the fuse, you sure there is not something else on the line or mabey a shot?

[RichZ]

If there was a short, would it go 2 weeks without blowing? I'm no expert at these things.

The radio was not factory installed, but installed by the dealer when I bought the tractor. The owner's manual lists another fuse for the radio, but that fuse isn't the one that's blowing. When the radio first went out, I noticed the dome light was out, too. First I checked the fuse for the radio, and that was fine, when I checked the fuse for the dome light, it was blown, and when I replaced it, both the radio and dome light worked. So obviously, they're on the same fuse. Maybe the dealer put the radio on the wrong fuse, and maybe both are too much for it.

[Treemonkey1000]

Sounds like they took the easy wiring route and put the light and radio on the same circuit. Were you driving around and jiggling the tractor when they blew? Or just sitting still. There could be a pinched wire if it happens when there is vibration. I wouldn't really increase the fuse amperage. They fuse them with a little leaway to begin with. If you put to large of a fuse and it heats up the wire that may be in a wire bundle then you run the risk of burning multiple wires..
You might want to have the guys that installed it fix it. If the fuse diagram calls for the radio to be on one circuit and that fuse didn't blow then it isn't right. Although some models may have a different wiring diagram. Canadian version versus the USA version or some silly factor like that.

[cityfarma]

A bright dome light will not draw more than 2 amps. A loud radio would not draw much more than 3 amps. To blow a 10 amp fuse typically needs about a 20 amp load or a short circuit. As your load is only about 5amps, you have a short somewhere. Check the point where the radio power was taken from the dome ciruit and make sure the join is well insulated.

Cityfarma

[RichZ]

Treemonkey called it exactly right. I was moving manure with my loader, and went over a pothole that I didn't see, and the radio went out. I guess it is a pinched wire. My dealer has outstanding service, one of the reasons I got the tractor from them. I'll call them and see what they can do.

Thanks!!!!

[gemini5362]

doesnt have to be a pinched wire a small nick in the insulation anywhere can cause that. Years ago my father had a pickup that would blow a fuse to the tail lights. The fuse would blow and he would replace it sometimes he would go a month other times the next day. After fighting with it a few months he asked me to try and fix it. I borrowed the truck and drove it a week before the fuse blew. I checked the circuit and could not find anything so I replaced the fuse and it blew the next day. I checked the circuit again jiggled the wires under the dash and could find nothing wrong. I replaced the fuse and it blew when I pulled out of my driveway. I finally had enough of the problem and Put a 12 gauge jumper wire across the fuseholder ( I would not recommend this procedure I was younger and tired of not being able to find the problem. as soon as it shorted I jerked the jumper wire off ) When it shorted out again the wire burned the insulation off to the short. It was a small nick in the wire under the cab where their was a metal lip when you hit a bump the wire would bounce up and hit the cab lip and short. I replaced the burned out section and never had the problem again.

[jrepp]

The wiring harness for the dome light runs over/under and around some tight places under the roof of your cab. The last time I removed the roof of the cab on my L5030 to do some maintenance I managed to short the dome light; had to re-remove the roof and carefully route the dome light wires.