|
11-15-2007, 07:56 AM | #1 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fayetteville, Georgia
Posts: 5,792
|
Replacing fuses
I've noticed in a couple of threads, particularly about adding lights, that there have been recommendations made about replacing a 10 amp fuse with a 15 amp fuse.
Personally, I believe that this is a very bad idea! Let me explain why I feel this way. The only job a fuse has is to protect the wiring. Any current flowing through a conductor (wire) generates heat. The higher the current the higher the heat. The insulation on the wire has two primary jobs. The first is to insulate the wire from touching another conductor and creating a short circuit. The second is to dissipate the heat generated by the current, without melting which could allow the wire to touch another conductor and cause a short circuit. With this said, when the engineers design a circuit they anticipate the highest current that should be required and then pick the appropriate size of wire and fuse. If they have installed a 10 amp fuse on the circuit then the wire chosen will handle 10 amps of current without over heating. If someone replaces that 10 amp fuse with a 15 amp fuse then that wire can be subjected to 150% of the current for which it is rated. More current means more heat. More heat than the insulation is designed to dissipate will result in either melting insulation and/or an electrical fire. I have seen electrical fires in aircraft, cars, homes and commercial buildings. It is definitely not pretty. If you are adding lights, horns or whatever and the circuit won't handle it with the original fuse. . .install a new fused circuit! ! ! It's more work of course but it's not all that difficult. I would hate to see anyone's pride and joy suffering from an electrical fire. Remember, the fuse's only job is to protect the wire. If it's blowing, it's doing it's job. Don't defeat it from doing it's job by just putting in a bigger fuse.
__________________
Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
|
11-15-2007, 12:14 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
|
Replacing fuses
Good advice Bob, that's why I installed my Cobra light bar on its own separate circuit according to gadgets page.
__________________
Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
|
11-15-2007, 12:24 PM | #3 |
Sr. Contributor
|
Replacing fuses
That Bob's a smart one!!!
__________________
I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 |
|
11-15-2007, 02:08 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 100
|
Replacing fuses
Bob is right in that the job of the fuse is to protect the wiring. Does anyone know what size wire is being used in the circuit in question? It is possible that the wire size is large enough to handle the extra amperage. Find out the wire size and the coating on the wire and the amperage the wire can handle can be looked up.
|
|
11-15-2007, 09:25 PM | #6 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,263
|
Replacing fuses
BD see you might have you a co-CME in BOB, take some of the load off,,,,
|
|
11-16-2007, 10:47 AM | #7 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Livermore CA
Posts: 1,334
|
Replacing fuses
Those Bob's are right on!
__________________
Life is Good! Eternal Life is better! |
|
11-17-2007, 12:16 AM | #8 |
Sr. Contributor
|
Replacing fuses
From your avatar, Bobs need a better dental plan!!!!!!
__________________
I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Stock spare fuses? | steammarc | 1700 Nomad, Vaquero & Voyager | 2 | 01-11-2011 10:29 AM |
Fuses? | dabull | 1500 & 1600 Nomad | 5 | 07-24-2010 08:46 AM |
Blowing fuses | dennisbailey | Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager | 13 | 04-05-2010 12:41 PM |
Question about fuses | schoeney | 1500 & 1600 Nomad | 7 | 06-11-2009 06:39 AM |
Fuses and lights | bennynomad | Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager | 1 | 10-02-2007 01:28 PM |