Fuses

I woke up this morning and my lights hadnt turned on - to my worry i thought something major had happened like my light unit had burnt out or something. so as a precaution i changed the 3amp fuse in the plug for another and low behold the lights came on.
Just been sitting here and the lights have swwitched off again!! urghhh!!
I'm gonna have to find a 5amp fuse for it somewhere!!

 

You should watch increasing the fuse size. You need to find the problem not cause a fire down the road. Check the end of you light fixtures for salt creep.

 

It's important to replace with the recommended amp fuse suggested by the manufacturer. Replacing the fuse with a higher amp rating may do more harm (fire hazard) than good, even though your lights will work. So, if the proper fuse rating is for 3 amps stay with it. If it continues to blow then the circuit the lights are on has reached it's max. See if you can switch your lights to a dedicated circuit only for the lights.

 

hey thanks for getting back to me!! the 5amp fuse has only gone and blown aswell so im gonna do the salt creep thing and then see if i can find a free circuit somewhere!!

 

low and behold i take it a part and your all right!! salt and water has creeped it one of the bulb connections. dunno how im goona clean and dry it - any advice??

 

I guess I'm one post too late, but it' doesn't hurt to say. . .

When a fuse blows, it's doing so because a problem with the device is causing a very high flow of current. Using a larger fuse would only increase the danger; allowing a much higher short circuit current to flow. Never, ever compromise an electrical product's safeguards.

Step one to troubleshooting this problem is finding out what caused the fuse to blow. When you think you've solved the problem, check by putting a new fuse in.

 

aye - thanks for the advice - just been to my lfs for advice and to get a replacement bulb. Told him how annoying this is cos my new lights aredue to come this week, and he told me not to bother buying an extra bulb as the softies will be fine for a few days with the one bulb. so everything is working out at the moment!! all the corals are opened up now without light and just the sun so fingers crossed no hickups with the new lights