[XCSSA] Blowing Fuses and Unsure Why

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

>the 9VDC lights up for a few seconds and then my
fuse blows. 
>Everything looks connected properly but there is no
load on 
>either side except for the  LEDs. I'm thinking it
has something
>to do with grounding. I haven't connected the
grounds on either 
>side and I'm guessing that might be my problem? If
so, does it 
>matter where I connect the grounds together?

  No, it does not matter !

  Did you split it, like I suggested yesterday?  If
you did, was
  it the input side (to the 9V regulator)or the
output side?
  Sounds it's the output side. and more importantly,
you're blow-
  ing a .5A fuse, that's a lot of current.  Your LED
as shown only
  draws .023A (23mA) and the amount of turn on filter
surge is
  nominal.  
  
  Something, besides the LED & R2 is drawing in
excess of 477mA!

>Unfortunately, I ran out of pico fuses.

  For trouble shooting, if you have any 30gauge wire
wrap wire you
  could use that for trouble shooting the problem.

  Try disconnecting the LED (LED2) and see if it
still blows the 
  fuse or 30gauge wire.

  Too bad I'm a Hill Country hermit, I could find/fix
it in a few
  minutes.

Lou