3amp fuse!!!!

[jmee54]

Setting off for a jolly to Germany tomorrow, so I decided to check the tyres. Pressures were a little down, so I got my 12 volt pump out, plugged it into the 12v socket and pop went the fuse. 3 amp! what use is that? No one in this end of Cornwall has a 3 amp fuse - not even the dealer where the bike was purchased. The fuse is a tiny, funny stubby affair. Question. Will a normal small fuse with pronged legs fit? And can I fit a higher amperage fuse without fear of doing any damage? Another question, why does a car 12v socket run my pump and my bike has a silly fuse preventing the use of anything useful?

[tallpaul]

You can use a higher rating such as a 5 amp as a temporary measure (I assume you are using it for a Sat Nav?) and replace it with the correct fuse when you can.

[Rusty Nuts]

Car sockets presumably are wired and fused to heat a cigarette lighter coil. Bike sockets are for "accessories" but apparently only low load ones.

[kwackboy]

The 12v socket is designed to power your Sat Nav or charge a phone only.
You can put in a higher amp fuse and it will work but the wires that power it may heat up due to the power the pump requires . You should connect it directly to the battery with the bike running.

A car can power it because the circuits are alot higher amps with thicker wires and higher rated fuses .

[mr_diver]

Be glad the Africa Twin one is 1amp.

Yeah my manager with a 16 plate Veek did the same. Those fuses come with a price.
Most mini compressors will draw at least 9amps.

I wouldn't go to a higher fuse as the fuse is there to protect the wiring from over heating if you over load it.
A Sat Nav will only draw maybe 1.5 amp max.

[hotbulb]

If you want to use one of those 12v compressors, it's probably best connected directly to the battery - most come with crocodile clips for this. The 13v sockets are nowadays only fused about 3amp, so fine for phone chargers or satnav. It's perhaps unfortunate that the design wasn't changed once car's stopped fitting cigarette lighters ????

[jmee54]

Thanks for the feedback.

The dealer only had 5 amp and said it would be fine!

While I was fitting one I discovered there are spares in the fuse box lid, Doh!

3 amp it is.

[tallpaul]

  yay for spare fuses!

[Rusty Nuts]

Totally agree with hotbulb about the design.It's only that shape and size due to its original function. We should have moved to smaller, waterproof connectors by now.

[ajs500]

Yes, I've had exactly the same happen, 3A socket is useless. I have an optimate charger lead permanently attached to the battery. I use this to power accessories - neat and no fuss.

[Gassoon]

Older wee's had no factory fitted socket. Many owners fit their own, and use thicker gauge wire (fused) direct to battery. Mine runs compressors etc like this, never had a issue, live all the time. Now I have a 2017 650 you have reminded me I need to get my own, probably with croc clips, stow under the seat disconnected (though not much room under the new one )

[Methusela]

AJS 500. That's a great idea. I also have an Optimate pigtail fixed to the battery, but how do you make a connection. I took my electric pump off the bike when I heard about the fuse problem. It only has a cigarette lighter type connector on the feed wire, which is not compatible with the Optimate lead. I considered removing this and replacing with crocodile clips to go direct to the battery, but was too scared I would mix up the positives and negatives !

[Freddyfruitbat]

Totally agree with hotbulb about the design.It's only that shape and size due to its original function. We should have moved to smaller, waterproof connectors by now.

It's one of life's great mysteries to me why the automotive industry didn't move away from the ghastly ciggie lighter socket as a standard 12V supply decades ago. It's bad enough they are still in cars given the minority of smokers these days - but a cigarette lighter on a motorcycle? - really?! 

I can only assume they are still around in cars because if some pratt had an accident related to lighting his coffin nail with a flame, he could try pointing the finger at the car manufacturer for having deprived him of his lighter... still doesn't stop them spending 2p per vehicle on adding another, sensible connector socket does it?   They almost managed it with USB sockets, but clearly they're no good for high-current devices like a tyre pump.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Like Gasson, I've ran my own socket to behind the fairings at the front of the bike. I used heavier guaged wires & a 10amp fuse. It is ignition controlled and powers my Sat Nav on a daily basis, but will also handle an electronic pump 

[ajs500]

Methusela ..... you can buy an Optimate 12v "cigar"socket with a variety of connections (optimate 3, 4 or 5 type connectors) on Amazon, fleabay etc. About 11 quids. Just plugs in one way. The optimate lead to the battery also has an inline fuse. It won't be waterproof but I keep mine in the pannier to use with an inflator. A cheap way of making an additional 12v removable socket and utilising the Optimate charging point.

[Mr Nick]

I'm reading this with a smug face: Katie came from the factory with a 10A switched din socket in the dash. 3A cigar sockets? Pah! 

[Rusty Nuts]

10 amp is good. The DIN fittings aren't much smaller,  though, are they?

[Methusela]

ajs500 Thanks for the info, I didn't realise you could get all those different leads. Thankfully this means I can put the electric pump back in the bike and not rely on the little foot pump I replaced it with.

[Mr Nick]

The DIN fittings aren't much smaller,  though, are they?

Half the size.

[Rusty Nuts]

That's better. I've only seen adapters, they looked bulky. Obviously they have to accept the full-sized plug, that's where the size comes from.