| optronic |
My first post!
My wife wanted some additional light for backing up her 2003 MDX, so I added two small 55 watt (each) driving lights to the existing backup light circuit. I basically spliced into the left existing taillight assembly at the backup light power supply. I wanted them to come on only when in reverse. The existing reverse lights have a 10amp fuse located in the drivers side kick panel fuse block. The fuse is labled "#9, back up light / instrument light". The new driving light instructions indicate using a 15amp fuse. I tried it with the existing 10amp. the light sworked great, but it blew the fuse after about the fourth time in reverse. This fuse also protects the dash instrument cluster lights.
I don't have the electrical service manual yet. Can someone tell me if it's safe to change the existing #9 fuse to a 15 or 20amp without the risk of frying the the dash instruments while the additional backup lights are on?
I'm hopefully thinking that this is a possibility. Any help would be great. |
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| optronic |
quote:
Originally posted by optronic
My first post!
My wife wanted some additional light for backing up her 2003 MDX, so I added two small 55 watt (each) driving lights to the existing backup light circuit. I basically spliced into the left existing taillight assembly at the backup light power supply. I wanted them to come on only when in reverse. The existing reverse lights have a 10amp fuse located in the drivers side kick panel fuse block. The fuse is labled "#9, back up light / instrument light". The new driving light instructions indicate using a 15amp fuse. I tried it with the existing 10amp. the light sworked great, but it blew the fuse after about the fourth time in reverse. This fuse also protects the dash instrument cluster lights.
I don't have the electrical service manual yet. Can someone tell me if it's safe to change the existing #9 fuse to a 15 or 20amp without the risk of frying the the dash instruments while the additional backup lights are on?
I'm hopefully thinking that this is a possibility. Any help would be great.
I decided to go with the 15amp in place of the existing 10amp. So far so good. I'll let you know if I smoke the instruments. The additional lighting is nice. :D |
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| midnightMDX |
| Looks nice and bright. Post more pictures of the mounting. |
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| optronic |
quote:
Originally posted by midnightMDX
Looks nice and bright. Post more pictures of the mounting.
Here's a picture of the mounting. Not much to it. |
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| midnightMDX |
| Interesting, pretty cool mod! :cool: |
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| Tuan |
If I remember correctly, my #9 fuse was blown when I plugged my AC adapter into the cigarette lighter. I'm glad it did, because I noticed my nav and radio stopped working right after the fuse was blown. 5 amp is a lot if you're talking about 120 volts for home circuits, but when you're talking about only 12 volts, I don't think it's enough to damage the nav/radio.
Anyhow, that was a cool mod. I like it. |
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| G. COLTON |
You are asking for trouble ANYTIME you overload a circuit. It is not just the fuse that is the problem, the main concern is the wire size. If Acura over designed the circuit you may be OK. If they did not the lest of your problems is a blown fuse. The most extreme problem would be a fire caused by an overheated wire.
It does not matter what voltage circuit you are working with. NEVER increase the fise/circuit breaker size without KNOWING the gauge of the wire.
If you just have to have this additional backup light (I agree the stock is not very bright) then run a new direct wire to power this light. You can still have this light come on with the backup light by using a relay that activates this circuit when the backup light is turned on.
G |
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| Tuan |
Colton,
You're right. The best thing to do is run another wire and have it controlled by a relay. However, this is only 2 back up lights, 55watts each. I don't think it's going to be on long enough to cause a fire, unless you're planning to drive in reverse for a long time. The high surge in amperage when you put the gear in reverse will probably burn the fuse and perhaps damage the nav/radio circuit before it can create heat high enough to cause a fire. Just my 2 cents. |
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