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Fuses

does200does200Member
Just a reminder now that hotter weather is here, to keep some extre fuses in the car (especially those that relate to the radiator fans!). With nothin better to do, I did a nice run today to Huntington Beach to check out the babes around Main Street. However on the way home when backing into my garage I noticed the temp suddenly got higher than usual. Checked the radiator fans and nothing was moving. Of course later I found the fuse was blown, more like exploded. When changing the fuse, I found I had no extra fuses in the glove box at all. What a rookie! These damn cars are so reliable (not like my Lambo) I forget to carry simple repair stuff. So I now stocked all sizes in the glove box. So, just a friendly reminder to avoid getting stuck in gangland or such...keep the fuses stocked. I obviously lucked out and got home when it blew. However I now see it was a 16A fuse in the #11 position, and looking at the tech bulletin it shows 25A goes there. Since the car is all custom, how would I know if 16 or 25 should go there? Why would someone put a 16 if it really should be 25? Fans were working on my trip because I have a light on the dash when the fans come on. Nothing special I see regarding the fans, just two sucker fans in the link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/...m-72157635769607434/

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dave2811dave2811Member
Ok, I see the two fans. In my setup, each fan has a 30A fuse. Without knowing how your wiring is set up, you need a minimum of a 30A fuse, and make sure your fuse connections at the panel are bright and free of tarnish. Use a pencil eraser to polish them up.

Several factors that can increase the current (amperage) through a device that can blow a fuse: Resistance because of corroded connections. Resistance because of heat in the wires (hot day or high current draw). Low voltage from the charging system because of inadequate alternator. If you have low voltage, then the high power devices (fans) make up for it by drawing more (fuse blowing) amperage.
does200does200Member
Yeah, looking at the tech bulletin manual again it shows two fan fuses, so I will take another look for the other fuse too. Since it was only 16A, maybe that is why it blew, plus good hot run to the beach. Air Ride used too in raising the car in the driveway probably beats on the battery and alternator somewhat. To test good charging, battery should read about 14 volts with car running right?
jag13catjag13catMember
Does 200; Not knowing your wiring configuration, some Panteras had only fuse #11 feeding both fans. A pink wire from fuse #11 feeds one relay and a jumper wire feeds the other relay, which puts an inordinate amount of amp draw on the circuit.
Since you have sucker fans, an upgrade has been made from original.
The other consideration is what gauge wire is used to supply current to the fans.
Over and above the fuse size, I agree with Dave2811, an ATO fuse panel would be a vast improvement.
Additionally, running the fans through a relay would take some load off the circuit. There are a number of posts regarding a relay circuit.
liv1sliv1sMember
Each fan on my '72 is wired to a separate fuse. Fuse #11 with an 15A fuse and fuse #12 with a 25A fuse stock. You may consider at least separating the power supplied to your fans so your fan circuit is not completely out of service when a fuse blows. These newer fans have a higher circuit draw and don't have a "soft touch" when they kick on. They will sometimes spike and blow a fuse.
Last edited by liv1s
does200does200Member
Thanks for the feedback. I had a 25A on hand, so I made sure the area was clean and put that in place. I figure at least for now that would be better than the 16A. I looked at the fan wires, and hard to tell the gauge, but from the wire thickness looks similar some other yellow 10 gauge that I have. Next time I take the car out for a run I will see if one fan comes on first and then the other. I doubt it since only one fuse was blown and both fans were not running. If that's the case, I agree it makes sense to have them separate to prevent all or none. I know in my red 5S the second fan only comes on at a higher temp, so I figure that has separate fuses.

Not sure if I have a relay in line already, but at the radiator fans I see yellow and black wires, yet to fuse 11 it look like the color is a pink wire and a grey wire. I will need to study the link below more. I never had an issue with it in the past, maybe due to hot day and hot babes on my cruise.

https://www.google.com/search?...rc=3u5joO3vqyP6gM%3A

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