I got an IT masters degree. I can make complicated and wacky solutions to easy problems.....sad thing is they usually work really well.

-Gun

 

what ever happened to occam's razor? lol? hoses got hot

 

I won't debate your theory, just my use of the leaf blower (gas) would really make my neighbor, already doubtful of my sanity, scratching their heads.

I see how you were thinking and I like it.

 

Nobody wants to use Ohms law to figure out how much draw it has? Its not that hard to figure out... besides you can get a shunt and use a multimeter also..

 

Short of the fuse being jumpered with a wire or foil or something, (I see no evidence of a jumper), There is ONE plain and simple reason for this happening and only one reason.

The fuse was loose in the holder and an ARC was created (when the fan kicked on) from the spade of the fuse to where it was supposed to make connection in the holder.

This was caused by the fuse being loose in the holder, and/or the fuse holder being defective.

I am going to say that this arcing happened on the "upstream" prong of the fuse.

 

Do you know where that fuse was bought? Harbor Freight had to recall several fuses in the past because they would not blow and started some fires when they melted. GM even sent a letter out to their dealers warning them of those fuses.

 

Make no mistake, the fuse might be defective, nonetheless, that damage was a result of ARCING....

I am 99.99% sure of that.

Replace the fuse holder and problem solved.

 

to use Ohm's law you would need to know volts (easy) and resistance not as easy as you have to completely disconnect the motor from everything probably by cutting the wires and at 12v resistance measurements must be precise. Finally it doesn't account for failing bearings or other load generators

JMD's suggestion is the best yet. I hadn't thought about arcs. It could indeed be an issue if the fuse was loose. I thought of another issue just now...if the fuse fit tight then there could have a corrosion issue that may have increase resistance on one leg of the fuse. This could have possibly created a hot spot due to the resistance but if it were that bad I would think fan speed would be very low as voltage would also suffer (but maybe not noticeably). So arc is probably the better bet.

Either way like JMD said replace the holder.

happy hunting.

-Gun

 

Only 2 things to cause this. A poor connection at the fuse causing enough of an overhear issue to burn the plastic (happens quite regularly) or a Chinese fuse from Harbor Freight or similar sources (also happens regularly). I'm not sure what the miracle metal in those imported fuses is, but I do know they will make a car go up in a fireball and the only thing left will be an intact fuse element. Yes, they catch fire during a short but won't burn the element. A shorted fan with a proper fuse will simply blow the fuse provided it's wired with proper gauge wiring and such. The only answer here is a new fuse holder with a real fuse, make sure the wiring is up to task, and try again, provided you don't have access to an amp meter which will tell the real tale.

 

It was the fuse, holder and wiring that came with the fan. My bet would be the connect as others have stated. I will replace the fuse holder and keep and eye on it. Thanks guys.