Fuse keeps blowing on Coleman Vac

[slash007]

I have a Coleman SuperVac that keeps blowing the fuse. It is a vac only unit. It had a 3 amp fuse in it and I didn't have any, so I put in a 15amp and then the transformer blew. I replaced it and the new transformer blew as well. Not much to the vac, what could be causing the surge? Only thing I can think of is the timer? It is a Coleman B&C timer.

 

[edredtop]

I have a Coleman SuperVac that keeps blowing the fuse. It is a vac only unit. It had a 3 amp fuse in it and I didn't have any, so I put in a 15amp and then the transformer blew. I replaced it and the new transformer blew as well. Not much to the vac, what could be causing the surge? Only thing I can think of is the timer? It is a Coleman B&C timer.

Replace the 3 amp fuse. It's summertime and things get hot and plastic melts. Check for missing or failed wire nuts, specifically, hot wire touching ground downstream from transformer, slipped electrical tape (if that's what you use) and your terminal blocks for heat damage. If all is good, you're probably right.

 

[slash007]

I did replace the fuse initially with another 3 amp and it popped right away. Put in a 15amp and it worked, but then after I left the transformer died. Today I when I swapped the transformer I forgot the 15am in there and everything seemed to work. I took the 15 out and put in a 3 and the new transformer had already died. Everything seems tight and nothing touching.

 

[Blanco]

There is a terminal strip inside of the vacuum. Unhook all the wires from it and disconnect your timer. Put your 3 amp fuse back in. Connect everything back one at a time until you blow the fuse then you will know what it is. Most likely since you put a 15 amp fuse you blew the timer also but that probably was not the issue that started this.

 

[slash007]

There is a terminal strip inside of the vacuum. Unhook all the wires from it and disconnect your timer. Put your 3 amp fuse back in. Connect everything back one at a time until you blow the fuse then you will know what it is. Most likely since you put a 15 amp fuse you blew the timer also but that probably was not the issue that started this.

I'm hoping the timer is fine as it came on today for a little before the transformer blew again. Good idea on one thing at a a time . This Vac only has the timer, coin acceptor, Cryptopay and a motor relay, so not really much going on.

 

[Blanco]

I'm hoping the timer is fine as it came on today for a little before the transformer blew again. Good idea on one thing at a a time . This Vac only has the timer, coin acceptor, Cryptopay and a motor relay, so not really much going on.

Yup. If you can't figure it out you can message me for my number and I can walk you through it when I'm in front of one of mine. I dont mind. Hope you figure it out.

 

[slash007]

Yup. If you can't figure it out you can message me for my number and I can walk you through it when I'm in front of one of mine. I dont mind. Hope you figure it out.

Thank you. I would have probably figured it out today, but ran out of fuses and transformers lol.

 

[Greg Pack]

I don't think I've ever had a mercury relay go bad but there's not a lot of stuff to go wrong in there. Does it blow when you power it up or just when you start it?

 

[slash007]

I don't think I've ever had a mercury relay go bad but there's not a lot of stuff to go wrong in there. Does it blow when you power it up or just when you start it?

Same here, never had a mercury relay go bad. When I first worked on it, fuse was blown and would blow as soon as I put in another 3amp fuse. I had a 5 amp and it blew as well instantly. Just putting fuse in. I put the 15 in and was able to turn vac on and off and use it with no issues. It then apparently blew the transformer right after that.

 

[Randy]

You NEVER, NEVER, EVER! want to put a larger fuse in any system! It’s just plain ole DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. The system was designed for a 3 amp fuse and not a larger 15amp fuse, look at the damage you’ve done to your transformers. These 24 volt control circuits aren’t all that complicated. Do what Blanco told you to do, disconnect the wires and start putting them back on. I’d probably start with the Mercury relay.

 

[slash007]

You NEVER, NEVER, EVER! want to put a larger fuse in any system! It’s just plain ole DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. The system was designed for a 3 amp fuse and not a larger 15amp fuse, look at the damage you’ve done to your transformers. These 24 volt control circuits aren’t all that complicated. Do what Blanco told you to do, disconnect the wires and start putting them back on. I’d probably start with the Mercury relay.

Randy, I am aware about never putting in a larger fuse, but to my defense, I checked another vac and it had a 15 amp, so I thought maybe the 3amp was incorrect. The 15 was on a combo vac. Not sure if it had a larger fuse on purpose or by accident.

 

[Randy]

Randy, I am aware about never putting in a larger fuse, but to my defense, I checked another vac and it had a 15 amp, so I thought maybe the 3amp was incorrect. The 15 was on a combo vac. Not sure if it had a larger fuse on purpose or by accident.

When I was a young service technician apprentice one the first things I was taught was to never install a higher rated fuse than what was originally installed in a control circuit as you could damage the system. I don’t know why the car wash equipment manufactures still use fuses when a re-resettable circuit breaker will work better, I guess it’s the added cost. We got away from glass fuses years ago and went to a resettable panel mount breaker. Like these https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-35...-5-amp-250-vac-32vdc-qc-termination-tabs.aspx

 

[slash007]

I finally got around to messing with it again and after installing my 4th transformer (don't ask) I can get the coin acceptor and Cryptopay to work, but as soon as I plug the timer in, the fuse blows. I figured the timer was bad and tried two others, but same issue. Only thing I have not replaced would be the mercury relay. I thought maybe there was a short in the wiring harness, but if that was the case, wouldn't the fuse blow without be having to plug in the timer?

 

[Randy]

Try disconnecting the wires from the coil on the bottom of the mercury relay and see what happens.

 

[slash007]

Finally figured it out. Disconnected the bottom wire from relay, still blew fuse. Then separated all 24 v wires and connected one at a time, green wire going to timer caused it to blow. Checked wire and nothing was wrong and also timer was fine, so separated all common wires as well. Reconnected the 24 wires and timer wire was fine. Yellow wire from Ginsan Sensatron caused fuse to blow. Followed wire and found it pinched at the top of the coin acceptor under a metal bracket. Got it loosed and connected everything. Worked fine. NO idea how that wire suddenly got pinched, but o well, at least it works now.

 

[STXCW]

Glad you were able to get the issue resolved. I am really surprised you didn't fry any other components out by using the larger fuse. You should invest in an amp probe for future troubleshooting issues.

 

[edredtop]

Finally figured it out. Disconnected the bottom wire from relay, still blew fuse. Then separated all 24 v wires and connected one at a time, green wire going to timer caused it to blow. Checked wire and nothing was wrong and also timer was fine, so separated all common wires as well. Reconnected the 24 wires and timer wire was fine. Yellow wire from Ginsan Sensatron caused fuse to blow. Followed wire and found it pinched at the top of the coin acceptor under a metal bracket. Got it loosed and connected everything. Worked fine. NO idea how that wire suddenly got pinched, but o well, at least it works now.

"NO idea how that wire suddenly got pinched,"
(May I refer you back to the first response on this thread..)
In all seriousness, thanks for letting us know what the solution was. When operators come here and ask for assistance then *poof* vanish when they figure it out, it's like reading a book with the last chapter torn out.
Well done.

 

[slash007]

"NO idea how that wire suddenly got pinched,"
(May I refer you back to the first response on this thread..)
In all seriousness, thanks for letting us know what the solution was. When operators come here and ask for assistance then *poof* vanish when they figure it out, it's like reading a book with the last chapter torn out.
Well done.

You were spot on lol. So unusual, so I started with the easier items, but eventually had to test in order. I agree, it sucks to see questions posted and not get the solution, so I make it a point to try and post what the issue ended up being. I'm constantly reading and adding to my knowledge base, so it really helps to see issues/solutions.

 

[superdave]

I always use a reset circuit breaker for testing in place of a one time fuse.

 

[slash007]

I always use a reset circuit breaker for testing in place of a one time fuse.

Great idea, I need to get one.