Electric fan keeps blowing fuses

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

I took my car out for a boot today and keeps blowing the fan fuse. The fan works fine at idle but when I drive around it burns out the fuse. What is going on here?? The fuses are 30amp...isnt that big enough!

HISSIN50 · Mar 23, 2007

It would kind of depend upon what fan you have. It seems to me that when Revs are up, so are the volts the fan sees, and thus amperage draw is up too.

Good luck.

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

Ya thats what I was thinking! The fan is a taurus fan and I am only using the high setting. I dont even know what I should do next.

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

Little update. I think it only happens when I flick the fan on when Im already driving. Would this make sense? I figure it is causing an initial voltage spike that fries the fuse instantly. I have a 3g and underdrives so my idle voltage is not that high.....I just went for a drive and it never blew the fuse but I put the fan on before I even started the car. Any input?

mpette · Mar 23, 2007

I just had a similiar problem with my electric fan (It's a Black Magic). Anyway, the fuse I was using was too small (20 amp), the fan requires a 25 amp. It only draws 14 amps when running, but it's the startup that requires the higher amp rating on the fuse.

Can you find out what fuse the Taurus required for your fan? Otherwise, Baxters has fuses that automatically reset for around $5.

vikingpower · Mar 23, 2007

have you tried a bigger fuse

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

No I havent...what size does everyone recommend?

vikingpower · Mar 23, 2007

My flexalite uses a 25 amp but its a single fan. If you have dual fans then you probly need a bigger one than 30.

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

Its a taurus fan, a single fan on the high setting

Mustang5L5 · Mar 23, 2007

You need a slo-blo fuse.

EVen if the fan only draws 20A, you will see a huge startup spike for a split second as the electric motor begins to turn. As it gets to speed, the amperage will drop to normal. Depending on the fan, this can be as large as 70A spike.

If you use regular fuses, they will blow instantly once the load exceeds the rating. A slow-blowing fuse will hold for several seconds to allow the spike to drop.

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

where would I get one of those fuses or who manufactures them?

Blown88GT · Mar 23, 2007

Dean85GT said:
No I havent...what size does everyone recommend?

You shouldn't be using a fuse with an electric fan. Use a Fusible Link, which is basically, a slow-blo fuse.

jrichker · Mar 23, 2007

Most automotive blade type fuses are fast blow. Any good electronics supply store and get you the 1/4" cartridge fuses with a slow blow 30 amp rating. A 30 amp auto reset circuit breaker is another alternative.

See http://wiredritesystems.com/store/page11.html for circuit breakers and relays.

86bluecobra · Mar 23, 2007

Ok i have a electric fan and mine does not blow fuses. Is there any chance you have a short? Bare wire touching metal somewhere? Perhaps improperly grounded?

bullitstang1313 · Mar 23, 2007

You should wire it up using a relay or a circuit breaker. Either way is a lot safer and more reliable than a fuse.

Dean85GT · Mar 23, 2007

I am using a relay...the fuse is precautionary

HISSIN50 · Mar 24, 2007

A fuse and a relay are two entirely different items with different purposes. For most E-fan applications, both are requisite (sans relays for PWM'd controllers, etc).

Dean85GT · Mar 24, 2007

Worse case scenario...will something like a 50 amp fuse work for the meantime? Im pretty sure that was the size of the fuses for the fan in the taurus'. I just need something to get me around for a day and Im pretty sure I have one in my garage.

HISSIN50 · Mar 24, 2007

Dean85GT said:
Worse case scenario...will something like a 50 amp fuse work for the meantime? Im pretty sure that was the size of the fuses for the fan in the taurus'. I just need something to get me around for a day and Im pretty sure I have one in my garage.

FWIW, as I recall, a 94-95 GT fan has a 60 amp Maxi-fuse for the cooling fan. It's always nice to calculate exactly what fuse your particular fan needs (i.e. your idea to check what the OEM fuse size is on a 3.8L Taurus) but the 94-95 fan is similar and might provide an idea........................

Good luck.

Mustang5L5 · Mar 24, 2007

Dean85GT said:
Worse case scenario...will something like a 50 amp fuse work for the meantime? Im pretty sure that was the size of the fuses for the fan in the taurus'. I just need something to get me around for a day and Im pretty sure I have one in my garage.

Depends on what size wire you ran to power the fan. A 50A fuse might exceed the rating of the wire, so instead of popping the fuse, you'll just burn the wiring

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