Blue Sea Terminal Fuses - Heads up

[Rick486]

Be aware that installation of the Blue Sea terminal fuses, while a great product and a worthwhile safety enhancement, is not quite a straightforward bolt on modification if your intent is to install the fuse right at the + side of the battery. Installation requires the Blue Sea terminal strip as well to connect to the battery terminal adapter. This terminal strip incorporates a screw post to accept the fuse itself and the lug formerly attached directly to the adapter and battery post. The screw post then fouls the battery box cover in the vertical direction, preventing closing of the box. Sooo, right now I'm sitting here with $85 worth of hardware which I cannot use without further thought, design, and modification to something as yet to be determined.
Just a heads up.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I've found the battery box tops to be nuisance. Use the lugs and leave the tops at home. They're not airtight, and if your batteries are strapped down, they ain't goin' anywhere. Keep the bottoms, of course, since acid always somehow does leak out (I just changed my batteries and ruined a new set of nice shorts!!!).

 

[Maine Sail]

If your batteries are in their own compartment and "protected" there is no requirement for battery box lids.

Yes the MRBF fuse is only half the equation. You also need the fuse holder and they do add height to the post of just under 2". I often install them on buss bars with a short wire running from the battery.

 

[Snotter]

I've found the battery box tops to be nuisance. Use the lugs and leave the tops at home. They're not airtight, and if your batteries are strapped down, they ain't goin' anywhere. Keep the bottoms, of course, since acid always somehow does leak out (I just changed my batteries and ruined a new set of nice shorts!!!).

It is nice having a lid when you accidently drop tools on the battery.

 

[Mike B]

I just notched out the lid to fit the fuse buss. Then layed a flexible shield over the buss to prevent any accidental short should I drop anything conductive on it. Not that I would ever do something that dumb

 

[Rick486]

It is nice having a lid when you accidently drop tools on the battery.

Exactly correct. Hence the desire to have a cover.

 

[Rick486]

I just notched out the lid to fit the fuse buss. Then layed a flexible shield over the buss to prevent any accidental short should I drop anything conductive on it. Not that I would ever do something that dumb

That's a good thought. Thanks Mike. I'll probably end up doing something like you suggest as well as shortening the Blue Sea post a bit since it would also foul the hatch cover as well as the battery box. as Maine said, the added height is at least a couple inches. The added safety is worth a bit of extra work.

 

[Ross]

I cut pieces from a plastic trash can for battery covers.