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?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is the 12 volt healthy?
     
  3. jmann

    jmann Member

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    it is pretty new.
     
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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?
     
  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 ?
     
  6. jmann

    jmann Member

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    yep.
     
  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.