We have a 2013 Class C motorhome that came with a 32" Jensen LED 12 volt tv. It is mounted in a frame with storage behind it. In the last year, we blew the inline fuse in it. I noticed that the wiring got damaged from opening and closing the storage area. Basically it pinched the wire. I spliced the wires back and put in a new fuse. TV worked. After watching it for a while (few hours) on the next camping trip, the inline fuse blew again. I noticed it was hot to the touch. The tv is 7.5amps. The inline fuse holder has a sticker on it that says 8amps. I replaced it with a 7.5amp fuse and it blew again, and once again hot. So I ordered some 8amp fuses. Replaced the fuse with an 8amp one and immediately starts getting hot again. I removed the fuse and did not attempt to use it again.Any idea of why this is happening? What can I do to correct it, short of purchasing the AC power supply for it or replacing it with an AC tv?

Replace the fuse holder or pinch the contacts together so it holds the fuse tight.

Amperage increases with lowered voltage. If you have small wires connecting the TV to the DC source, you will have voltage drop and increase the amperage and the heat. The same is true for a partially discharged battery when powering DC devices.

beemerphile1 wrote:Replace the fuse holder or pinch the contacts together so it holds the fuse tight.Its the glass type fuse with the screw cap on it...

westend wrote:Amperage increases with lowered voltage. If you have small wires connecting the TV to the DC source, you will have voltage drop and increase the amperage and the heat. The same is true for a partially discharged battery when powering DC devices.so are you saying this is normal? It wasn't like this before the wires got pinched and shorted the fuse.Batteries are fully charged.

The TV is marked to draw 7.5 amps. You should be feeding the unit with a fuse greater then that. I would get a new fuse holder, I prefer blade style, and install a ten amp fuse.Yes, it is normal when operating at close to the max rating for the fuse to get warm, normally it is resistance within the fuse and holder.

Electrical Assistance | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Sep 08, 2015
Twisting of the conductors is not following installation instructions for wire nuts.
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
enblethen wrote:
Improper stripping will damage more strands then crimping using the correct tool.
Wire nuts can cause the conductors to bunch up and cause issues.
It is a toss up as to which is better.

And he directly mentioned about making sure you twist the wires in the same motion as you do the wire nut, masking sure not to bunch the wiring.
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
One takes a bit more effort than the other. Houses do not use crimp connectors because solid wire and crimp connectors hate each other. Solid wire is also allergic to vibration. But not too many houses make u turns and merge with traffic.

I don't think traffic or u turns would affect my tv wiring behind it.
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 08, 2015
Improper stripping will damage more strands then crimping using the correct tool.
Wire nuts can cause the conductors to bunch up and cause issues.
It is a toss up as to which is better.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
One takes a bit more effort than the other. Houses do not use crimp connectors because solid wire and crimp connectors hate each other. Solid wire is also allergic to vibration. But not too many houses make u turns and merge with traffic.
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
enblethen wrote:
I use the crimp connects. I fill them with electrical de-oxidation grease prior to crimping.
I use wire nuts filled with electrical grease for my sprinkler splices below grade.
What size fuse did you install?

8 AMP

The electrician said he doesn't like using the crimp style due to the fact of possibly damaging strands of the wire.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 07, 2015
As an aside note, I much prefer ATC - ATO type fuses over cylindrical tubular fuses for normal use*. For slow or fast blow operation, the AGC fuses are the only option.

*Far and away fewer problems with internal contacts.
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 07, 2015
I use the crimp connects. I fill them with electrical de-oxidation grease prior to crimping.
I use wire nuts filled with electrical grease for my sprinkler splices below grade.
What size fuse did you install?
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 07, 2015
UPDATE:

Bought a new fuse holder. There was barely enough wiring that I could cut out the damaged wiring that was splice. Using wire nuts instead of the crimp tube type (recommended by electrician), it worked. Or at least appears to have. It didn't heat up when tv was started. We were camping without hook ups and didn't really watch tv (only could get PBS where we were at).
wbwood
Explorer
Sep 07, 2015
wa8yxm wrote:
wbwood wrote:
Anyone know where to buy 8 amp inline fuse holders besides online? I had to order the 8 amp fuses online. Hoping that maybe I missed somewhere that would have them in brick n mortar store.

Radio Shack, ANy Auto parts store, Wal-Mart, Sears, K-Mart (Auto dept)

I still say inspect those splices/repairs you made You may be in for a surprise.

Re: Lower voltage = higher current.

May not be true in this caSe Depends on the design of the internal power systems in the TV.. But I've built power systems where you could take the voltage down 20 percent or more and not make a bit of difference in the current.

Around here they only sell the fuses in increments of 5 amps )5, 10, 15 and 20). Although I have not checked Radio Shack. Thought they were out of business. The nearest Sears is 45 minutes away and the kmart that is about 10 miles away does not carry them.

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