I might save my last nerve if someone has an answer. I’ve tried damn near everything, and if it blows again, I am going to call HornBlasters and possibly request a refund :mad:. I don’t want to do that but I am running out of options, and I have put so much effort in trying to fix this problem.
They are shocker 240’s with a 480c compressor
40A fuses keep popping. And I give up.
What gauge power wire are you running, and what length is it?
Tippy, I thought you were or had sent back the compressor to HB HQ for checking out?
Like I said before, I think you need to run a new (TEMPORARY) feed from the battery to the compressor. This will prove that you aint got a short circuit.
I know its unlikely to be the compressor, but from the pics you posted up in another thread, The fuse is melting (overload) and not blowing (short circuit).
It could be that the windings are at fault. The mere fact that its intermittant, would suggest that sometimes when the compressor kicks in, its start up current is higher and causing the fuse to melt (small bobbles on the ends of the fuse) like I also said before, if it were a short you would have moulten splatter & carbonation (black residue) on the fuse.
could it be the ground?
i’ve had my 480 for a while now and haventt blown one fuse… what size wire are you running to power the compressor and are you sure there are no spots in the wire that have possibly worn through the insulation on the wire causing a short?
I have bought a brand new battery a few days ago, and the fuse still blows, so that’s outta the way.
One time it blew the fuse and when I took it out it was almost too hot to touch. IDK if that helps.
I’ve used a 10ga. and 8ga. wire with two different fuse holders. They both blow fuses. Pretty much the only thing I didn’t try to swap/replace is the train horn system itsself : (
Oh yeah and I DID send it to the HB HQ and they said their was nothing wrong with the compressor. They said it was pulling a little higher amperage on startup, but nothing significant.
Thats what my neighbor is thinking. IT has to be a short. I have used two different wires though, and I don’t think that’s possible. However, I still looked where both wires were fed through to my train horn to see if their was a place cutting into the insulation somehow. Nojoy…
Ehh. It’s been sanded and it’s going straight to my car. I’m thinking about putting the ground straight to my negative on my battery just for the H3ll of it.
Ok… Sorry to bang on about this, but i’m convinced its NOT a short circuit… can I make a simple suggestion?
First, There are two wires going to the compressor. Disconnect them so you now have two wires in your hand, a red & black.
Leave the air line connected to the tank. (you will need it to put load on the compressor)
Now, get a 12v battery, and run a positive (red) & Negative (black) from the battery to the red & black to the compressor. Use a suitable 8ga cable.
before connecting the positive to the battery, Get a switch and put that in-line on the positive wire.
Use a 40amp fuse at the battery on the positive.
Now, switch on and off the compressor. it should run when switched on.
I realise this is an intermittant fault you have, so you may have to try it a few times over. Remember tho to discharge some air in the tank, because in theory we have bypassed the air pressure cut off switch. if you have a gauge, keep an eye on it… you should have a pressure release valve fitted, so you will not over pressurize your tank.
If the compressor is at fault the fuse should start to get warm or in fact even blow under load.
Also, HB have said the comp is drawing a little more ampage than normal, remember this is an intermittant fault, so maybe the fault never appeared when they had it??
One other quick question?? You say the compressor is reasonably new?? Woz your install working before you bought the new compressor or woz it a whole new setup?
Ok so I’m in the the electrical trade over here, but by anyones standards, its almost idiot proof to wire these pumps & air cut off switches etc etc. so I doubt its a wiring issue. (I’m only going on wot feedback I get from you)
OR
Ask them to kindly send you another compressor (one of the ones Matt has refurbed maybe) and fit that. then see if you still have blowing fuses. I’m sure they would be happy to do that then give a full refund. Then just send your one back to them? They’re customer care and service is the dogs bolox!
I am not one to ask businesses to give me stuff, or even ask for a refund. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever done that. I usually just deal with the problem. But as expensive as train horns are, I might have to go this route. I like the idea of using a refurbished compressor, as I don’t care as long as it works, and it won’t cost them as much.
p.s. I will most likely take a video of my setup now and my setup after I fix it. I got all sunday off…nothing to do!!! :D:D:D (thats today)
BTW I went to walmart (crappy communist store here in the U.S) and they didn’t have any 8ga. wire. My neighbor said that my fuses might be blowing when the compressors pistons have to start with all that pressure in it, so I only fill it when the pressure is very very low (almost empty). this has worked for about a day so far, but if it blows them I’m going to get a switch and another 8ga. wire and try the test you suggested.
i had a problem also… but i fuckeddd around with it… and i tested my relays… the top pin… was kinda loose and it finally messed up the relay… so i bought a new one… check all the wires over and over… and test your relays… to make sure they r working… then you should be good…
Hey Tippy… good stuff, seriously mate, we have a saying over here “If you dont ask, you dont get”… I know just from one or two PM’s & emails from Matt, Garrett & Rigo, they pride themselves on their customer relations & top service. I’m sure they will try to help you out,… but firstly it would be good just to prove the compressor is the problem.
If they did send you a refurbed one in exchange for your one, they are in a “win win” situation, they can just refurb that one and sell it on as almost new!
You mentioned your neighbour suggested only filling ya tank when it got low???.. Mate… You shouldn’t have to be doing this. You should be able to honk without fear of blowing fuses. My guess is that the compressor would normally get warm/hot and then thats when your having problems.
It might be worth just checking your relays as Johnny suggested, look for heat damage or melted plastic casing.
Failing all that, rig up a clean feed from the battery as I mentioned previously, and YES … “So we’re just switching up the variables to make SURE it’s the compressor? GOTCHA.” The sole purpose of this is to prove or not prove the fault lies with the compressor.
I hope you get ths sorted man asap! I’d be gutted if this woz happening to me.
my fuse blow once i change it and thats it no problem