How hot is too hot?

Speedfreak

Active Member
Had a faultless 150 mile round trip recently and the car performed beautifully, however I had the sidelights and dipped beam on for about 40 minutes of the trip when I got home and run my fingers along the fuses having removed the lid around the middle of the box it was hot, probably best described as a fresh cup of tea hot, no melting or anything but it just made me think how hot is too hot? Should they even get warm? I spent some time a couple of years ago cleaning and pinching the contacts and making sure that all the fuses were the correct and amperage and also the correct length. Am I heading towards a fuse box meltdown, or am I worrying unnecessarily?
 
Yep you probably are. Heat between contacting points indicate resistance. I'd pop the fuses out, clean both holder and fuses with a contact cleaner (CRC CO maybe) and retry the lights. Another thing to check is that the holders are perfectly parallel to the fuse as any twist will limit contact surface and create a hot spot. Otherwise you may want to go down the relay path to remove the current going through both the fuses and the elderly switches.
Cheers, Peter
 
Thanks Peter...is that YEP heading to melt down or YEP worrying unnecessarily? I will check the contacts as you say, I also have some contact cleaner somewhere in the garage! I have seen others fit relays, where in the loom would these be fitted for the best outcome? Thanks for the advice, much appreciated, Steve.
 
Both really. Unless you've put higher wattage globs in the headlights. If the connection points are still in good order, (fuses, lugs, bullet connectors, Switches, Earthing points) and the wires haven't been buggered around with, all should still work as originally designed by the factory. However, time takes no prisoners so finding a prefect wiring loom etc just doesn't happen. There is much information in this forum regarding installation of relays, Use the search function and find a solution that matches your car, needs and ability. Things to consider is mounting location of the relays, do you want to see them or not, how much extra wiring is required, redundancy circuits (if one circuit fails, will you be totally without lights?), new fusing requirements. Much to think about. There is one particular circuit diagram here somewhere that I consider the perfect system but as usual, I can't find it:confused:. Hopefully some one else will jump in with more info.
Cheers, Peter
 
Back
Top