Fuse Help

[Team_2389]

Our fuse keeps popping and blows. How do we fix this?

[EricH]

Our fuse keeps popping and blows. How do we fix this?
Which fuse? If it's the one in the compressor spike, get a 20A breaker like the ones in the KOP in there--this is legal (sorry, don't have the exact rule reference handy).

[RyanN]

If it's for the compressor, replace it with a 20A Circuit breaker.

If it's not for the compressor, find the short! Trace your wiring on the output of the Spike and make sure they never touch anywhere down the line.

[pm 2389]

Where would you find a 20A breaker?

[DavidGitz]

From the 20A Circuit Breaker store of course! Or if you don't have one, you could check in your Kit Of Parts.

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2010_Assets/2010%20Kit%20Of%20Parts%20Checklist_RevB.pdf

[rsegrest]

Where would you find a 20A breaker?

If you have a large auto parts supplier you can try there first. If not you may have to special order one from Andy Mark.

http://store.andymark.biz/am-0289.html

[pm 2389]

what is the rule number

[EricH]

<R60-F>

[Gary Dillard]

btw, this year R60F allows replacement of the fuse in the Spike relay with a 20 amp Snap-Action circuit breaker for any application, not just the compressor as in previous years.

Which begs the question, is there any reason you wouldn't want to replace the Spike fuse with a breaker?

[the man]

We are using a 40amp for the compressor spike it pops any other ones

[Gary Dillard]

We are using a 40amp for the compressor spike it pops any other ones

That's not legal (emphasis mine)

R60F. The fuse on the Spike relays may be replaced with a 20 Amp Snap-Action circuit breaker.

[the man]

That's not legal (emphasis mine)

R60F. The fuse on the Spike relays may be replaced with a 20 Amp Snap-Action circuit breaker.

We did and they didnt call it so they must one not care or two it is ok, We couldent get it to run a 20 with out kicking out so that was our fix.

[Chris is me]

We did and they didnt call it so they must one not care or two it is ok, We couldent get it to run a 20 with out kicking out so that was our fix.

Woo, you got away with breaking the rules unintentionally. That doesn't mean it's legal. Please make an effort to fix it.

[The Lucas]

We are using a 40amp for the compressor spike it pops any other ones

Is it a 40A fuse or 40A circuit breaker.

If it is a 40A fuse (red automotive) replace it with a 20A circuit breaker
If it if a 40 A circuit breaker, first of all how did you fit it into the Spike? Replace it with a 20A breaker.

The compressor will work with a 20A circuit breaker. Even if it does trip momentarily the breaker will reset and it will work. If it doesnt work then your compressor may be bad or it is mounted somewhere with insufficient shock absorbing. I suspect you are using a 40A fuse and replacing it with a breaker is better anyway. Hopefully you can get it fixed tonight before you need to go through inspection.

[Gary Dillard]

Try using a different 20 Amp breaker; they are kinda funny the way that they handle peak loads and maybe it just wasn't sitting right. The compressor draws high power at start up but shouldn't be drawing high power continuously - remember there is also a 20 amp breaker on the PD Board to the Spike. Check your complete wiring circuit - fix the problem, not the symptom (which is the breaker popping).

I just saw your post Brian - it didn't occur to me that the 40 amp breaker wouldn't fit (duh). It must be a 40 amp fuse.

[Mike Betts]

We did and they didnt call it so they must one not care or two it is ok, We couldent get it to run a 20 with out kicking out so that was our fix.

You need a 20A feeding the Spike and a 20A installed in the Spike. It is not an issue of getting caught by your inspectors. It is a safety issue. The Spike is only rated at 20A.

instead of using a bigger CB, investigate why it is tripping. You have a shorted wire or a bad compressor. It needs to be fixed.

Regards,

Mike

[Al Skierkiewicz]

It is hard to tell from the posts but it appears the fuse on the Spike is blowing. If you replaced it with a 40 amp fuse and it still blows, you have other issues. There is a short in the compressor or your wiring. Often teams get the compressor wiring under the compressor or wrap it around the "head". Under means the wiring gets clamped during compressor run since the compressor is vibration prone especially if not mounted properly. Around the head, the compressor gets really hot and likely can melt through the wiring.

If you are simply blowing 20 amp fuses in this application then that is normal. The 20 amp fuse in the Spike is guaranteed to blow when running the compressor. Start current is 25 amps while run current is 10-12 amps. Replace with a 20 amp breaker.