Hood Light Question...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Sylacauga Alabama
Hood Light Question...
I hooked up my hood light today and before I put a bulb in I check my wiring with a test light. I have power to the clip (Red wire) and coming out of the clip is changes to orange in which I also have power. I lose my power on the other side of that tube fuse looking thing(black wire) What is that tube thing? Is it a tube fuse? Can I cut it off and butt splice?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
That orange wire is a fusable link. The wire itself is the fuse, it melts internally when there is too much amperage draw. You can go to most auto parts stores and get a piece of fuse link wire and replace it, or you can get an inline fuse holder and splice it in. I would not eliminate it as there would not be any protection for a shorted wire.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Fusible links go by the gauge of the wire. Wire gauge is only even numbered and generally, links are two sizes smaller than the feed wire. This would mean that a 12 gauge wire would be protected by a 16 gauge fusible link. The link in the picture is orange and unfortunately I don’t remember the exact gauge that color is.
Why did the fusible link blow?
Why did the fusible link blow?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Sylacauga Alabama
I have no idea how the link broke. I have power going into in but not coming out of it? So what you are saying is that I can go to a Auto parts store and ask for a 16 gage fuseable link? will they know what I am talking about?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Jeff...the easiest way is to buy a link with a plug in fuse. You can then install any size fuse you want. If you ever short the light out all you have to do is change the fuse. I would say 5 or 10 amp fuse would be adequate for the hood light. Anyway that's what I did for my hood light.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
I thought you said you had power going TO the white barrel connector but not coming out. Figured a problem with the barrel connector.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Depending on the Auto Parts Store they may have individual sections or they may sell it by the roll. A 12 gauge wire would not be used to feed 1 hood light. It's probably 16 gauge, so you would need a 20 gauge fusible link. Someone replaced the hood light wires on my 1980, so I don't know the original gauge wire. It really is easier to install a fuse holder and put a 5 amp fuse in it. In the picture, it looks like a red wire was used as a ground connection. Black is usually used as a ground color.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Sylacauga Alabama
Yeah that red wire at the light is a ground. It was the only color I had. I will try to go to a parts store and buy a fuse holder and wire it inline and pop at 5 amp fuse in it. Thanks for all of your help.
