Parker Yahoo Group Archived Messages

ID From Subject Date
712 ron_pennsylvania Re: Breakers vs. fuses 2/7/2006 8:39:00

parker251c,

May I compliment you on this post. It is very informative.

Ron






--- In <a href="/group/parkerboats/post?postID=YOR1SH8aBhpXOsXugsLBvlAGXL365ju8z1p0ytfonycMPxXO9kTGIBE1qkOc3SRBh8r8H1yRgejaAUUJPS2HZqCAjg">[email protected]</a>, "parker25lc" <c-dhubbard@...> wrote:
>
> 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.
>