Can in-line fuses be eliminated?

[Tom Wootton]

I'm getting ready to install a fishfinder on my H26. My plan is to install it on the inside of the galley bulkhead on a ball-mount stalk. I hope I can position it so that it's in the companionway opening, and visible throughout the cockpit, while underway, and then swing it inside up against the bulkhead when at anchor. Since it will be so close to the panel, I'll hook it up to the accessory terminal. Can I safely eliminate the in-line fuse that came with the fishfinder, since it'll be fused at the panel? Nothing else is connected to this terminal, and I'll use the fuse that came with the fishfinder in the panel. Later, if I add anything to the accessory terminal, I'll make sure the fuse is rated for the smallest wire in the circuit. Am I overlooking anything?

 

[Jon Bastien]

Looks OK to me...

...That's what I did aboard my H25, and I haven't had any problems. The circuit has my Humminbird 250DX fishfinder and my Garmin 48 GPS on it. The only problem I have is that I have to remember to turn the GPS off, or the internal batteries will die...--Jon BastienH25 'Adagio'

 

[Steve Dion]

Of course you can eliminate it but......

are you sure that is what you want to do?If you are going to wire it to a dedicated circuit breaker and it is the same capacity as the fuse, I'd think that you will be OKAY. I would think that the fuse is a lower rating than the breaker.Now the problem comes in if you ever add something to that circuit. I would think that having double the protection would make more sense. Leave an inline fuse and attach it to the breaker too. What is it going to hurt?

 

[Tim Schaaf]

I agree with Steve

And the closer to the breaker that you locate the fuse, the better the protection. Those fuses right next to the instrument do not protect you from wiring problems between the battery and the fuse. A short circuit there can cause a fire.....

 

[Tom Wootton]

Panel

Steve, my panel has fuses, not breakers. I was going to use a 1 amp fuse in the panel, as specified for the fishfinder. You're right, though; it's hard to imagine 2 devices that wouldn't pop a 1 amp fuse, and if the panel fuse is the only one protecting the fishfinder, I'd never be able to up the capacity. I was just trying for a cleaner installation.