Fuses on distribution panel.

rigi36 · 22 July 2011, 20:02

The positive distribution panel that is inside my console looks like the following. It seems that it contains unconventional fuses. The fuses (are they fuses?) are not labelled with any current rating. I will be connecting a radio with 7.5amp inline fuse to here, will these distribution fuses cause any problems?

Thanks.

Courageous · 22 July 2011, 20:27

They look remarkably familiar to me as the main type of fuse on motor vehicles back in the 60's thru to early 80's. They should have some type of rating on them mind. The only problem they are capable of causing is blowing if they are of a lower value than the amps you are looking to draw. If you are putting an in line fuse in anyway why not just connect that to the live feed?

rigi36 · 22 July 2011, 20:50

Thanks. The nav lights are running off the top one. For what it's worth I think I will just screw in on the input feed side; I have the inline fuse anyway.

Hightower · 22 July 2011, 22:33

I think the rating is on the ceramic body of the fuse. Look at the 3rd fuse from the top I think it says 8A on it.

Probably not the best marine fuse to have as the ends tend to corrode. Much better are the blade fuses or better still get thermal resettable mini circuit breakers MCB

rigi36 · 23 July 2011, 07:24

It has a cover that goes over it.

Hightower · 24 July 2011, 01:11

The cars I owned with this type of fuse constantly needed them cleaning and that wasn't in a Marine environment. Smear some Vasaline over the ends, that'll help.

Cookee · 24 July 2011, 07:44

Personally I would remove it before it gives any trouble, it's not a marine item and as others have said they weren't that good in cars!

wavelength · 24 July 2011, 14:32

I've had one of those in the past. Problem I found was that when replacing/fiddling with fuses the spring terminals they are lodged into get bent, lose the tension and the fuse departs the holder when the boat has a shock landing. Not that we ever have any hard landings of course--well none since yesterday afternoon

doggypaddle · 24 July 2011, 18:53

Get rid of it! As mentioned its not a marine item and theyre really prone to corrosion, particularly at the fuse end because theyre aluminium and the dissimilar metals cause a corrosion cell. a reasonable cheap alternative is the moulded rubber cased blade fuse holders. you can get a 4 inline one, each fuse has a rubber cap and can be rammed full of vaseline.
I had one like yours on the landy and it left me in the dark too many times

i think theyre OK mounted inside a DRY vehicle. no good in a landrover

rigi36 · 24 July 2011, 19:39

It doesn't get wet inside the console at all, we use the boat on the Thames and very rarely in choppy water.

The marine dealers that installed the outboard put it in, I would have thought they knew what they were doing.

Pikey Dave · 24 July 2011, 20:10

Here we go again

\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/

doggypaddle · 24 July 2011, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxhar

It doesn't get wet inside the console at all, we use the boat on the Thames and very rarely in choppy water.

The marine dealers that installed the outboard put it in, I would have thought they knew what they were doing.

well I dont think they did,

the wire from the little glimpse I can see of the conductor looks like its not tinned either, another really bad idea on a boat.
I am sure both will get picked up if you have a survey done for an IWA licence.
I am not going to comment further other than to re iterate they are shit fuses, shit fuseboxes, period. Thats why the car industry stopped using them. Good luck with it.....cover it in vaseline before it starts to corrode.

Nos4r2 · 24 July 2011, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

well I dont think they did,

the wire from the little glimpse I can see of the conductor looks like its not tinned either, another really bad idea on a boat.
I am sure both will get picked up if you have a survey done for an IWA licence.
I am not going to comment further other than to re iterate they are shit fuses, shit fuseboxes, period. Thats why the car industry stopped using them. Good luck with it.....cover it in vaseline before it starts to corrode.

Seconded.

Crusher · 25 July 2011, 06:31

I agree with previous comment these are not great, but if it's not broken then why fix it? Just keep an eye on it from time to time to ensure it's not starting to corrode...
The fuse rating, I seem to remember, is denoted by the fuse body colour. A visit to your local motor factors should tell you. And you definitely should be carry some spares!

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Nos4r2 · 25 July 2011, 06:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusher

if it's not broken then why fix it?

Because when these go wrong, it could cause major issues.

Cookee · 25 July 2011, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxhar

It doesn't get wet inside the console at all, we use the boat on the Thames and very rarely in choppy water.

The marine dealers that installed the outboard put it in, I would have thought they knew what they were doing.

I am a boat builder and I can tell you we would never put anything like that in anything that floats, if you want to wait for it to go wrong before you change it that is your prerogative but it's not if, it's when!

You asked for advice and I think you must be able to tell what you're being told by now.

Dirk Diggler · 25 July 2011, 07:55

Actually, that fuse holder is marine spec, and was in the Sowester catalogue as such. I wouldn't use one myself, but I'm sure it'll be ok for your application.

Leapy · 25 July 2011, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Actually, that fuse holder is marine spec, and was in the Sowester catalogue as such...

and the Titanic was advertised as a cruise liner somewhere :-)

Jizm · 25 July 2011, 13:33

Wouldn't be my first choice either but just for info they are colour coded for rating and readily available.

VWP - fuses

Pikey Dave · 25 July 2011, 18:08

If I'm reading the photo right, they're 8A fuses x 4 = 32A max possible load fed, via what looks like a 1.5mm2 length of cheap flex. Corrosion might be the least of his worries. At least the heat from the cable will keep the condensation away.

Did someone once mention that fuses were for circuit protection

ee lad, tha can't educate pork