Fuse keeps blowing

[DavidV]

The fuse (the red one) for the 12V socket keeps blowing. Not every time the socket is used but frequently enough to be annoying. At a guess it would be replaced maybe 4 times in a fortnight.
I'm no motor electrician so won't understand technical details but does anyone out there have any thoughts about the cause ?
I'm in an Autotrail Tribute 670 (2018)

 

[Lenny HB]

Shouldn't just replace fuses unless you know why it is blowing & have sorted the problem.

What load are you putting on the socket i.e. what are you plugging into it.

 

[Andy MacD]

That happened to me, it was a 12v to twin usb converter. No idea what was wrong with it but the problem ceased when I took it out and never happened again.

 

[meanders]

Lenny HB is right. You are either sucking more power out of the socket than it is designed to give, or something you are using has a fault. Do not be tempted to put a larger fuse in unless you want to risk a serious fire when the cable insulation melts.

 

[DavidV]

It's mainly used for phone / powerpack charging. I've tried different cables which work in OK in other situations.
I might try Andy Mac's approach and try a new twin plug.
I won't be trying a bigger fuse though.
Thanks for comments so far

 

[Vanman]

These things are often solved with mind numbing trial and error. Make a little diagram of everything when it blows and then remove them all one at a time (for a week or two) to see which removal (or combination thereof) fixes it

 

[LostInSpace]

I might try Andy Mac's approach and try a new twin plug.

or, better still, no twin plug.

 

[Vaman]

The twin plugs are often remarkably crudely made inside and may simply be shorting out when you push the equipment plugs in. Does it blow when you plug into the twin or only after using and item for sometime, or even as you push the twin adapter in. You can only load the socket to a max of 10A for any length of time. Look for rating labels on the items you plug. Every 12W is 1Amp out of your 10A possible, total load 120 Watts max on the adapter and the socket its plugged in to.

 

[Ian_H]

I had trouble with a 12v socket when plugging a usb charger in, blew fuses or sparked a few times. Now I switch off the 12v at the panel before inserting or removing the charger and all is ok. Not ideal, but simple and it works.

 

[DavidV]

Again, thanks for the continued advice (Vaman ).
Thing is I've used all the same cables, twin adapters etc in the main dashboard sockets without ever having problems.
Suggests to me the problem I'm experiencing is within the 12v socket itself rather than whatever I'm plugging in to it

 

[Johnny99]

I've experienced similar with a 12v usb charger that had a metallic body, it would occasionaly short in the socket, took me a couple of fuse blows to discover the culprit.