Parker Yahoo Group Archived Messages
ID | From | Subject | Date | |
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709 | parker25lc | Re: Breakers vs. fuses | 2/6/2006 14:10:00 | |
Doug: FUSE or BREAKER: FWIW when I rewired my '92 Parker 25' Sport Cabin and I went with fuses and here's why, to follow. But first remember rule #1 ... the PRIMARY reason the fuse or breaker is there to protect the WIRING from burning up and NOT to protect the DEVICE. That said, I went with fuses soley due to their rating variety. Let's say your device is 3 amps, you CANNOT get a 3 amp breaker, nor any other breaker that is not of an amperage rating by 5 units, i.e., they're only sold as 5, 10, and 15 and up amps, going up in 5 amp increments. So let's say your device calls for 7amp "slo blow" protection. What are you going to do ... throw in a 5 or a 10 amp device? To tell the truth, I also had made up a custom switch panel for the helm and found that making it with fuses was 30%-40% of the price it would have been with breakers. Plus, on wiring systems I've wired myself ... I have never blown a fuse in 20+ years of boating, so I don't see any perceived benefit to breakers. There have been recalls on breakers that were faulty and would stay energized when tripped ... that'll never happen with a fuse. That said, I keep a small plano tackle box handy with fuses ready to be re-installed in a moment's notice should the need ever arise. ISOLATORS/COMBINERS: A few friends have installed the units from BEP Marine, see here: <a href="http://www.bepmarine.com/">http://www.bepmarine.com/</a> and they found their products and service 1st rate. Some of their units are combination isolators, combiners, battery switches, and monitoring systems - all in one! You could ask them for assistance in your selection. BATTERY MONITORING: Consider a Heart Link 10 or 20 battery monitor, if you don't go the route above ... it's akin to a fuel gauge for your battery, telling you the amp draw and how many hours use left at that current drain. |