T2320 Aux Light Fuse Question

peterssj4034 · May 17, 2011

I have a T2320, to which I have added two rear work lights, using the existing NH Aux plugs that came prewired on the tractor.

I can use the aux lights when the front headlights (both working and driving) are off. When the either of the front set of lights are on, I blow the 7.5 amp fuse, which is the instrument panel fuse, amongst other things (don't have my book in front of me at the moment). When this fuse blows, it kills my aux lights, the front working lights, instrument panel, etc. The driving lights work when the fuse is blown. This happens when I switch on either light independently, or when they are on together, along with the front lights. I have tried the 3 position light switch in all positions, with the same results.

The lights were purchased from a NH dealer, and they each have a switch. I just can't figure out why the 7.5 amp fuse blows, and not the fuses, according to the manual, that are associated with the aux lights or either set of front headlights.

I've searched the forum, and know that there are numerous threads with these model tractors and electrical issues. Incidentally, my fuses are installed in the reverse order of what you see in the operator's manual, and the attached picture.

Any input is much appreciated.

Seth

Edit - Just checked my manual. The 7.5 amp fuse that blows for me is listed as the glow plugs/alternator fuse. Sorry for the confusion - that's what happens when I try to go from memory.

jinman · May 18, 2011

Peter, your description makes if very hard for us to help you. You showed us an illustration of the fuses, but we have no way of knowing which of these fuses is the one blowing because you didn't say what number of fuse it was. There are two 7.5 amp fuses shown and neither of them should be hooked to your rear work lights according to all the info I have. According to my book, it should be the 10 amp fuse #3. Can you scan your table in your manual that shows a list of fuses and what they power? It should be very close to the illustration of the fuses that you posted.

Also, when you add lights to an existing circuit, you may have to increase the fuse value by the amount of current draw of the lights or slightly more. Add up all the watts of all the lights you added (for example: two 30 watt lights would be 60 watts total). Divide the watts by 12 for the current draw. In this example it would be 4 amps. You need to increase the amp rating of the fuse by 5 amps to have a little buffer area. The fuses inline at the lamps won't matter if the total draw off the circuit exceeds the value of the supply fuse. That's what you are seeing with your fuses blowing when you turn on the headlights.

Of course, there's the chance that your tractor is wired wrong and that could also be the problem, but we need the table I asked about to be sure. If you could snap a photo of your fuses under the instrument panel, it would sure be helpful too. Illustrations can be wrong, so the photo ensures we are all seeing the same thing.

peterssj4034 · May 18, 2011

Sorry, for the confusion, thanks for the response.

In the book, the fuse that blows is listed as fuse 1, 7.5 amp, Glow Plugs, alternator. The picture in the book lists the fuses left to right, 1-7. My actual fuses are exactly the opposite on the tractor. They are installed 1-7 (as listed in the book), but right to left. Or 7-1 left to right. In any case, the fuse that blows is the 7.5 amp alternator fuse.

Jinman - my book shows the same thing, fuse 3, 10 amp, that is associated with the work lights, which is why I am confused.

I'll snap a picture this evening.

Seth

jinman · May 18, 2011

Seth, from your description, I'm thinking the fuse on the left should be 15 amps. That's pretty wacky. Did you buy the tractor new or is there a chance that somebody/previous owner put the fuse assy in backwards? I'm looking forward to seeing your photo.

peterssj4034 · May 18, 2011

I bought the tractor new.

I have attached a photo of the fuses, as you would be looking at them from the operator's seat. On this tractor, they are located directly behind the instrument panel. I have also attached a scanned image of the operator's manual, describing each fuse.

As you can see, mine are installed opposite the book illustration. In any case, Fuse 1, 7.5 amps, is the one that keeps blowing.

Seth

Caliche · May 18, 2011

Looks like the fuses are in the wrong slots. Check out the wiring with a meter and/or pull the fuses one at a time and see if the functions listed stop working.

jinman · May 19, 2011

Seth, this is indeed one of the craziest things I've ever seen. I'm inclined to ask if your tractor is still in warranty? This is a problem I'd dump into the lap of my dealer and tell him to figure it out if still in warranty.

Somebody somewhere really screwed things up. Even your manual contradicts itself. The table in the manual lists fuse #6 as 10 amp and fuse #7 as 20 amp; however, the illustration showing the fuses has both of those as 20 amp fuses. That's a bit goofy. It makes me think that New Holland was a bit confused and didn't know what fuses to use.

Just like Caliche suggested, I would remove fuses one-at-a-time to see what happens. However, even that is not a clear indication. The problem with that is New Holland circuits often use power from one fuse to control a relay and power from another fuse to actually supply power. If you pull the fuse that controls the relay, it drops out the relay and looks like you just pulled the power fuse that supplies power. You really need a full schematic to tell what the effect will be of pulling each fuse.

I would be tempted on your tractor to pull all the fuses and put them back in left-to-right as the table and illustration shows. That would put a 20 amp fuse where you now have a 7.5 amp. That would make sense when you think about your 7.5 blowing. If it should be a 20 amp, it's no wonder it is blowing.

Since your tractor actually has a 3rd configuration from the two in the book, this is just almost a crap shoot. You need a detailed wire tracing and documenting of your tractor's wiring because you cannot rely on your manual. Even if my tractor was out of warranty, I think I'd give a call to the dealer and ask what is up with your tractor. All this different info is a nightmare and you are in the middle of it.

peterssj4034 · May 19, 2011

Jinman, Caliche:

Thank you for the responses. I've had the tractor about a year. Calling the dealer is my next step. I wanted to explore the expertise that is TBN, first, to see if I was making a mistake, or not looking at something correctly.

I'll keep muddling through this and let you know what I find out.

Seth

peterssj4034 · May 23, 2011

I stopped by the New Holland dealer on Friday with a copy of my fuse setup and the picture from my operator's manual. We pulled a shop manual, which I have attached showing the proper order of the fuses. As we surmised here, they were installed in reverse order.

I was assured that if I had any problems after rotating the fuses, I would have their full support, as the shop manual was thier gospel, of sorts, and that the proper order was there in "black and white."

Fuse 6 is supposed to be 10 amps. In a previous post, my book shows the chart as 10, and the illustration as 20.

Saturday morning I rotated the fuses into their proper order, and after 8 hours of seat time this weekend, I encountered no issues. Most of the work was during daylight hours, but I ran the aux lights for a while anyway, with no blown fuses or any other issues.

Thanks again for your thoughts and comments.

Seth

jinman · May 24, 2011

Great job of detective work Seth.:thumbsup: Don't waste any time trying to figure out why it was that way. Just be glad you figured it out and that you are up and running correctly.