Re: [AMC-list] Feverish fan fuse

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm not so sure about the amperage draw (15A) for the fan motor. Since you're not drawing that much I'd have to say that it's okay. Without AC AMC used a 20A fuse, with a 30A (the compressor clutch draws through the same fuse). Amps is what makes it hot. You could have slightly corroded terminals where the fuse pushes in, which would cause some resistance and require more amps to push through. I don't think that would show on the motor end, as the motor is still only drawing the amperage it needs -- the fuse is "using" some amps just to push electricity through it though, and those amps are "burning" off as heat. So try cleaning all the connections, and consider replacing the panel. I think you can get repro panels, if not it's not a complicated panel and would be easy to replace with a modern ATC panel. It's a simple six position panel. BUSS makes a six position ATC panel that's about the same size and available at most auto parts stores. Just pull the wires off the original
 and push them on the new -- one at a time, of course! The main power feed needs a ring connector instead of a spade. The original has multiple power feeds, so that might be an issue. You'll have to look at the wiring (I just looked at the panel in the TSM). If some of the fused circuits are hot all the time and some switched, use two of the six circuit boxes, one powered all the time, one switched. That will give you six extra power feeds too -- a few switched and a few powered all the time. The ATC fuses are so much easier to work with!

I used one of those small panels to add fused power to my car. I just ran a wire from the battery to a relay that's activated by the switch, so now I have six switched accessory fuses. If I ever have problems with my original panel it will get one of these also. I had problems with the ends of the glass fuses on my motorcycle (1980 GS1000) vibrating loose. You couldn't tell the fuse was broke by looking -- very irritating when it quit! I cut the original panel out and replaced it with one of those six circuit ATC panels -- no more fuse problems. On it I powered the entire panel through a relay off the switch to reduce switch load-- everything is switched. I figured that would prevent any battery draw problems just in case something messed up electrically.

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Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:12:52 -0800 (PST)
From: C The<kwtheaker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

'68 AMX
??? for various reasons i've been spending a lot of time under
my dash, well one reason is once i get under there hard to get
out, anyway i've noticed the fan blower fuse gets too hot
to even touch.

? The fan works fine.

? The car has AC so it's a 30Amp fuse.

? it reads about 12Volts at the fuse.

? With the fan on high it measures 6.68 Amps at the fan connection
? on the firewall.? 5.68Amps with fan on medium and 5.37 on low.

? It may have been doing this forever, so not sure how much of
? a? problem it is,? but doesn't seem correct.

?? talking with some fellow old-car guys, they thought the fan amps
?should be more like 15.

? any insight or another item to test, would be appreciated,

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)


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