Accessory Lighter Blows Fuses - I'm Stymied!

HELP!!

I installed a cigarette lighter on my 4th gen. with its own fuse and relay so it'll ONLY work when ignition switch is on.

Problem:

- Works fine with ignition on...
- Immediately blows fuse when depressed if bike is running!

I've tested my circuit to the lighter socket (grounded to frame / hot lead from switched relay)with a 60/55w H4 - It works just fine with ignition switch on, running or not... even with both high and low filaments lit.
That's a draw of 115 watts!

HOW can a 10 or 15 amp fuse power 115 w OK, running or not but fizzle if lighter is pressed only when bike is running?! :frusty:

 

Where are you getting power from?

And it's blowing it's own fuse...not the bike's?

 

Power comes directly from battery, through fuse to relay then on to lighter circuit.
YES, blows its own fuse.

 

Any place where the lighter circuit can be grounding itself after the fuse and before the load(the lighter)...I'm assuming it's like a push style)

 

Bad lighter socket. Remove and connect to a battery on it's own to verify.

 

I've tried running new test lead from relay to positive on lighter... still blows fuse when depressed, even when not on bike and I'm holding lighter socket in my hand.
Plus on original circuit test light works fine pushing 115 watts.

 

Tried 2 different lighter sets, both blow fuse.
Plus it only occurs if bike is running.

 

You need a smoke that bad while riding?LOL! The whole thing sounds messed up. I've got nothing. It works fine with key on, but with bike running it blows. Sounds like a bad dream...try going back to bed and try it again when you wake up. You have my sympathy.

 

Sometimes!
Really though, it just pisses me off, having wired the whole deal up and making a small extension on the lower left edge of the instrument panel to mount the damned thing!
I have PIAA dichromic fork lights and Solici horns mounted in like fashion... both work fine.

Worked on it, testing, trying alternate methods most of yesterday, started again 1st thing this morning. :doh:

 

Have you tried removing / bypasing the relay? It just sounds like a no brainer.

 

Yup, tried different relay too!

 

But why only when bike is running?grrrrrrrrr!

 

How about a larger amp fuse?
Can't stop thinking about this! Thanks Hammerspur!

 

FV(K!!
Just tried again twice with two different new relays... IT WORKS!
WTF, I tried this yesterday... or (SHIT) did I? It was over 90 degrees in the garage yesterday and I was at it a long time... trying everything I could think of.

Anyway, seems like it's OK now.
Gonna' try it once more just to prove to myself I'm not hallucinating, JEEZIZ!

Pjvtec, thanks for your support!! :high5:

NOPE, just tried it once more, fuse let go, oh man...

 

Just measure the resistance of the damn lighter and you'll understand why immediately. Or do you know the wattage and you can calculate the resistance.

When the bike is running the voltage is higher than when not. 115 watts of headlights is drawing about 10 amps and would not blow a 15 amp fuse. At 12 volts the current draw is going to be less than when the bike is running and the voltage is 13.8 - 14.

 

I was thinking about adding a lighter/receptacle to my bike for things like charging a phone or GPS. You have me second guessing doing this!

 

I replaced the original lighter unit(s) with yet a third example and upped to a 20 amp fuse... so far testing, bike off or running it's working.

Not about to "Hooray" just yet because the other identical two sometimes worked OK but failed with repetition.
I just yesterday received the KOSO Voltmeter I ordered:

The wiring for it is all set to go... just need to fab up a mount for it on the front side of the instrument panel.
Already tried it connected to battery terminals just to make sure it actually works but not hooked to my auxiliary system with bike running... maybe after work today, that should tell the story.

I have a pretty nice multimeter bought a couple years ago but still haven't found the time to figure out how to use it. :doh:

 

Does the ashtray work ;-)

...ill get me coat...

 

The Lighter receptacle its self isn't the problem. You can safely use it as a power point, He is actually using it as a Lighter.

 

Think of trying a zippo? ound:

But seriously, cigarette lighters draw lots of current - I don't think that even if I smoked that I would be hell bent on adding that big load to the VFR's marginal electrical system. Electronic accessories, yes. From what we have seen, even heated grips are a test for the system.