Help Hot Fuse!

[davidd]

I have a 'p' 96 griff 500, single 40amp fuse for teh engine fans, override switch fitted. For the last few years the car has had the odd spate of eating fuses, but usually it's one every few months (and I have a huge supply). Anyway on my way into town for a meeting today I noticed a burning smell so pulled over, sure enough the plastic bit of the fuse had completely melted. I got the car home, managed to get the two bits of fue out with xome pliers, replaced it and drove off to another meeting. Noticed faint burning all the way there (fans on) when I got there 20 mins later I noticed the new fuse had also started to melt so I replaced it. Came home, 30 mins this time (Cambridge traffic) fans on all the way as I'm not trying to see whats going on. When I got hom I noticed that the fuse was not that bad but when I pulled it out I fell apart.
So what is wrong? The fans were staying on so it is not surge, it did occur to me that the connectors at the fans are a bit corroded, nothing really bad but I did wonder if that would put extra load on the fuse.
Anyone got any ideas? the car is off for a few days at Offord next week so if it's more than I can do at home I can get them to do it.

TIA

D.

[david beer]

Did you not fancy the current splitter idea? With the fans on most of the time this time of year a constant 30amp is going to "warm" the fuse. But it does sound like yours is a little too warm. How about trying to see if its one fan going short, unplug one and see what happens with say a 20 amp fuse in.Then try the other. If one is shorting it would pop the fuse. Of course this test should be done without the engine running, just short the otter connections.
David

[angusfaldo]

David

I've been though exactly the same thing. The problem is likely to be that corrosion in the fuse box is causing resistance, which creates heat, which creates more corrosion and more resistance and the smell etc.

Difficult as it is, you probably need ot get into the fuse box for a close inspection to see what the burnt out fuses have left behind. When a 40amp fuse goes it can pretty much weld itself into the holder. I've spent more than one afternoon on a hard shoulder trying to get the remains of a fuse out the holder and have reverted to various emergency shorts to ensure colling on the way home. Havibng said that, I haven't had a fuse go for quite a while now.

Good luck.

AF

[davidd]

So getting into the fuse box...I don't suppose it's as easy as undoing that bolt on the front and lifting it out...?

Thought not..any ideas?

Cheers

D.

[jamesk]

If its going in for some work anyway I would definitely recommend getting the fans split over 2 fuses. Simple enough job but a lifesaver if one or other goes mid journey.