I think we are all breathing easier...
A lot of people over the years have passed on really bad habits in using fuses...and unfortunately its one of those that can hurt you...
I find people misusing the concept of an 'open' circuit and 'short circuit' with alarming frequency....a story for another day....I had a car battery in a 74 monte carlo.....explode....when I tapped a broken post with a wrench...that was in a circuit with a starter with a key turned on (a real dumb move)..it was an enlightening experience....I sort of speak with eh wrench of experience.....of course I didn't do much of anything for about a half hour....except wonder if I still had a hand, and if I would ever see again....
My rule of thumb....never replace an open fuse with a larger fuse, unless I am willing to take a chance on a bigger problem...I am glad you found your real problem....no matter how you got there....But I am real happy that you now understand something that can only help you in having successful future projects.
Now I await your completion.....as I am gearing up to build mine....
Craig