Parker Yahoo Group Archived Messages
ID | From | Subject | Date | |
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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. > |