Air Pump Blowing Fuses

Post by **Boxer** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:40 pm

I was getting ready for a long ride tomorrow and pulled out my little 12volt air pump to test it out. I haven't had to use it in a very long time. It is hooked up to a Centech fuse panel on a 5AMP fuse.
As soon as I got the air nozzle attached to the valve stem and turned on the compressor, it blew the fuse. I replaced it with a 7.5amp fuse and it ran long enough to add 1.5 lbs of air, then after I checked the pressure and switched it on again it blew the 7.5AMP fuse also.

It felt very hot as it was running that 30 seconds or so. Can someone tell me what happened?
I've already disconnected it from the fuse block and I'm assuming its toast, but I was just curious.

Now I will have to buy a new one. That one was at least 4 years old.

maduko · Post by **maduko** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:51 pm

Cram a penny in the fuse slot. That'll fix it!

Seriously, does the air pump have any electrical rating on it? Like 250 watts or maybe amps?

Watts = Volts x Amps

You're up to 90 watts so far. Maybe it really draws that much?

Post by **OU812** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:13 pm

Run a ammeter where the fuse goes when the pump is running. At least you can check it with the rating, if it has one. I installed a air horn on my R, and it blew immediately. Meter read 16.5 amps. So I went from the 5 to 20 amp fuse. So far, so good.