Mini wiper fuse value
907 - 21/5/16 at 05:31 PM
Hi All
Just giving the Suttol it's spring clean and check over and noticed the wipers weren't working,
not that I use them, more just for decoration really. (Bit like fog lights on a tin top. 
)
Anyway, the reason was the fuse had blown. I basically used a low value (possibly) of 15amp when I
fitted and wired them thinking it was safer to go too low than too high. I've changed it for a 20amp.
So the question is, what should it have. I believe the original Mini had fuses that ran multiple items.
Cheers
Paul G
rusty nuts - 21/5/16 at 06:06 PM
Think they used 30 fuses but as you say there were several items covered by each fuse. If I get a chance I will have a look to see what fuses I have
on mine tomorrow
907 - 21/5/16 at 07:11 PM
Cheers Mel
britishtrident - 21/5/16 at 07:31 PM
Early ones had a fuse box with two 35 amp glass fuses, one for all ignition loads one for B+ loads
1977 onwards had multiple 25 amp glass fuses
SJ - 21/5/16 at 07:51 PM
Mine were running for ages with no problem on a 15a fuse but blew when the motor got tired. They seem fine again on 15a with a new motor.
Stu
gremlin1234 - 21/5/16 at 08:27 PM
the old glass fuses were about 17A/20A continuous, 35A blow. modern fuses are just rated as continuous
however the LucasFaultDiagnosisServiceManual suggests 2-4A, with a wet screen
907 - 21/5/16 at 09:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SJ
Mine were running for ages with no problem on a 15a fuse but blew when the motor got tired. They seem fine again on 15a with a new motor.
Stu
No idea on how old the motor is, or how much use it's had.
907 - 21/5/16 at 09:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
the old glass fuses were about 17A/20A continuous, 35A blow. modern fuses are just rated as continuous
however the LucasFaultDiagnosisServiceManual suggests 2-4A, with a wet screen
That could be the trouble, a dry screen. The toggle arm is on the right of the steering wheel so
easy to knock when I get out. When I get back in and switch the ignition on the wipers start up.
I've done this more than once.
Paul G
steve m - 22/5/16 at 07:02 AM
I use a 20a fuse with my mini wiper, as im sure that's what the Haynes manual said for the BL mini
steve
907 - 22/5/16 at 08:38 AM
quote:
Originally posted by steve m
I use a 20a fuse with my mini wiper, as im sure that's what the Haynes manual said for the BL mini
steve
Cheers Steve, just the answer I was hoping for.
Off to a local show and the weather is bright sunshine so maybe the wipers won't be needed anyway.
Paul G
rusty nuts - 22/5/16 at 10:48 AM
Just checked mine Paul ,it has a 15 amp fuse but I only have very short blades which probably cuts down the drag
907 - 22/5/16 at 02:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Just checked mine Paul ,it has a 15 amp fuse but I only have very short blades which probably cuts down the drag
I had heard that yours was short Mel. 
So 15 to 20 seems about the norm. If I blow the 20 I now have I'll delve deeper.
Cheers for looking mate.
Paul G
David Jenkins - 22/5/16 at 02:17 PM
If is was my wiper setup I'd take the blades off and try the mechanism, to see if it's running free and easy. There are 2 gearboxes under
the wipers, plus the flexible tube that drives them, and they may be short of lubrication.
If everything is running smoothly with no sign of struggling them maybe it is as easy as a dry screen. I'll have to see what fuse I'm
using, out of interest...
907 - 22/5/16 at 04:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
If is was my wiper setup I'd take the blades off and try the mechanism, to see if it's running free and easy. There are 2 gearboxes under
the wipers, plus the flexible tube that drives them, and they may be short of lubrication.
If everything is running smoothly with no sign of struggling them maybe it is as easy as a dry screen. I'll have to see what fuse I'm
using, out of interest...
Been there, done that David. I know what you mean though.
The old grease in the cable sets like concrete with age. Originally I bought two sets of wipers and striped them and used
the best parts. I remember that one of the wheel boxes was solid. A breaker bar would not have moved it.
I also turned the angled sandwich mounts from ally so they matched the scuttle.
I had to smile at the show this afternoon. (Hedingham Castle)
A teenage lad and his dad walked past my car.
"Look Dad, a Caterham"
Dad pointed to the embroidered name on my seats and said, "Don't be daft son, it's a Cobra."
Paul G
gremlin1234 - 22/5/16 at 06:16 PM
quote:
. Originally I bought two sets of wipers and striped them and used
the best parts.
if using second hand lucas style wipers, its worth rotating the inner drive spiral, and the gear/pinion by 180degrees to use
the unworn gear teeth/drive
David Jenkins - 24/5/16 at 07:16 AM
A bit late to the party, but I have my dash off at the moment, so I had a look at the fuse for my Mini wipers. I've been using a 10A normal fuse
(i.e. quick-blow) for the past year, without problems.