by 1972nail » Tue Mar 08, 2016 3:51 pm
Yes, as Danny says, they are pretty reliable with the original lighting setup. The thermal circuit breaker is an automatically resetting circuit breaker rather than a fusible link or a high amp fuse. Adding extra lights or bigger bulbs is what causes problems with this device.
If you're fitting relays to the headlight circuit then the load on this will be greatly reduced and it will never open. It's rated about 28A, I think, but the total current without the headlights on that circuit is about 5A. You can leave it in place, but with the reduced load it will be very overrated as a protection device and therefore ineffective.
Therefore you should consider replacing it with a normal fuse of about 10A to protect the remainder of the lighting circuits which still solely depend on it for protection. That will amount to the dash lights, side lights and the switching current for the headlight relays.
I just fitted a modern 10A blade type fuse in it's place between the spade connectors.
Editor of the VVOC Magazine ReVival
"When you have a Firenza like mine, who needs any Minis?" copyright David Maxwell 1979.