Is it normal for a lawn mower electric clutch to blow a fuse under extreme load?
I've been mowing some grass today that was almost up to my head while sitting on the mower. Too much for my 20hp 42" Dixie chopper zero turn, but it was the only thing I had to mow with. It mowed it pretty good but twice I blew a 30 amp fuse under some extremely tough spots. Is it normal for a fuse to blow under extreme load like that? I wouldn't think the electrical load would increase or decrease at all. I could see it slipping, or not turning at all, but not drawing more amps (unless the stalled-but-engaged clutch draws more amps?) If the clutch can actually draw that many amps, that explains why this mower ends up with a dead battery after several hours of mowing. This engine is not the original engine and has only a 3amp charging circuit.
You answered your own question. When it slips it builds more heat and that damages the winding of the clutch which makes it pull more amps. As for charging, could be a weak stator or simply not large enough.
