Stop/turn lights and TV fuse rating issue

[Graceric]

Hello:


We have a 2002 Safari that uses p/n 2057 bulbs for the stop/turn lights. They are also used for the marker lights. On a recent camping trip, we found our Safari stop and turn lights were not working as we were about to depart the campsite. The lights were working fine when we left home. The failure must have happened on our trip to the campsite. We tracked the problem down to a blown fuse in our TV secondary fuse box. Our TV uses a 7.5 Amp ATM fuse for the stop/turn lights. We replaced the fuse which solved the issue and headed home.


I looked up 2057 bulb specifications and found stop light wattage is 27 Watts which translates to 2.1 Amps at 12.8 Volts. Our Safari has four stop lights so that’s 8.4 Amps. I measured 7.9 Amps (close agreement) with the engine running and stop lights on. When the two turn signal filaments are also on, I expect additional current. I thought about switching to LED bulbs but don't want to install load equalizers at this time.


I believe the fuse isn't blowing all the time since it's a slow blow. Perhaps the fuse degrades over time. I am curious if other TV's have a higher rated fuse (greater than 7.5 Amps) for trailer stop/turn signals? Thank you.

[JandB]

My truck has a 10 amp fuse for the right and left (separate 10 amp fuses).
Trailer Stop/Turn Right - 10A
Trailer Stop/Turn Left - 10A

[Wazbro]

You could put in 1 LED on each side.

[cwf]

Did you clean the bulb fixture/ socket?

With the proper LED enclosure there is usually enough of them to give the proper “load”. They are much brighter and run cooler… great “upgrade”. They use the existing “socket” to connect.. which still requires maintenance.


Once contacts are cleaned, use some dielectric grease or other protection to minimize corrosion.

[Graceric]

Thanks for the replies. I did clean all of the light fixtures. I ended up changing the TV fuse size to 10 Amps. This is not too much of a change so I believe it is okay. So far, the problem is solved.