Every time I connect a trickle charger, the dome light fuse blows

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jmann, Sep 15, 2025 at 8:37 PM.

  1. jmann

    jmann Member

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    Every time I connect a trickle charger, the dome light fuse blows. What is going on?

    That is the question. 2012 base Prius. Trickle charger is a Ryobi branded 2 amp. Connected to the Red jumper point in the fuse box under the hood. I don't see any other problems. Happened twice already today.

    What's going on here?
     
    #1 jmann, Sep 15, 2025 at 8:37 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is the 12 volt healthy?
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 15, 2025 at 8:55 PM
  3. jmann

    jmann Member

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    it is pretty new.
     
    #3 jmann, Sep 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe a bad charger? are you just putting the trickle on to maintain the 12v while not driving it?
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Agreed! I'd test a different charger to confirm that it's the source of the problem. If its not the source of the problem then perhaps there's something wrong with the dome light circuit ?
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Sep 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
  6. jmann

    jmann Member

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    yep.
     
    #6 jmann, Sep 15, 2025 at 9:40 PM
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I use both a 2 amp and a 4 amp charger on our 2011 Prius, but I don't use the red jump terminal. I have a pigtail SAE connector on one of the empty fuse locations in the back of the fusebox and the ground is under a bolt.

    No problems with either.

    You might have a short in your dome light circuit.
     
    #7 xliderider, Sep 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Check your cabin air filter for a mouse-house.
     
    #8 ETC(SS), Sep 16, 2025 at 5:56 AM
  9. jmann

    jmann Member

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    Dome light works the rest of the time... Like the circuit isn't shorted. And it is one of the few things in the car without electronically protected over voltage protection. Weird. I'll bring back a different trickle charger next time.
     
    #9 jmann, Sep 16, 2025 at 6:07 AM
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