I have a 1989 Hunter 34'. There is a 120 VAC Load Center control panel just above the chart table on the port side. Inset into the bottom/center of the control panel is a fuse button which contained the smallest fuse I've ever seen. Unfortunately, I lost the fuse while doing an inspection and have not been able to find a replacement based on my memory of how it looked. What kind of fuse is that and where do I find it? Help! Will check this forum for answers but you can also email me at audreysboat@yahoo.com
Need to find this fuse...lost it so don't know type...
- Thread starter Boatman1710
- Start date
You are talking about a small glass fuse for your DC bilge pump correct? If they are about 3/4" long and 3/16" dia, the only place I found them was at Walmart. No auto store place had them. They are in their small electrical dept and come in an assortment pack. Strange but true.
the 3/4" length may work fine, but the most common ones for that type of holder measure between 15/16" and and 1-1/16" long, and about 5/32 in diameter (the holder has a spring inside, so the exact length is not critical)..... there are several different manufactures and different lengths.... I would use a 15amp for the bilge pump circuit and any decent auto parts store (napa) will carry them, and if you ask for a 15amp glass automotive fuse and you will get what you need
The AGC 15 Amp glass fuse is what I use on mine. They are available at auto parts stores, Lowes, Home Depot and Amazon. Expect to pay about $2.00 for a pack of 5.
Best to replace it soon as you don't have the ability to manually switch on the bilge pump from the distribution panel. The alternate wiring (brown) for the pump is direct from the battery selector switch to the float switch so there is some protection there.
Best to replace it soon as you don't have the ability to manually switch on the bilge pump from the distribution panel. The alternate wiring (brown) for the pump is direct from the battery selector switch to the float switch so there is some protection there.
These fuse holders get corroded with time. If you are having difficulty finding a replacement fuse you may consider replacing the fuse holder with a new one which should have readily available fuses.
That is likely a standard AGC/MDL glass fuse holder unless the holder itself has been replaced. Any auto parts store or Radio Shack or even Wal*Mart has AGC fuses. If that is your only fuse for the bilge pump then the fuse must not be larger than the pump makers recommended fuse size for that pump.
If the fuse holder is not a standard AGC/MDL I would suggest replacing it with a fuse holder that is AGC/MDL as these are more popular and easy to find.. The Blue Sea 5021 AGC/MDL panel mount fuse holder runs less than $4.00....
If you are considering replacement, why not install a circuit breaker instead? Fuses protect electronics, sensitive equipment, etc because they blow faster than breakers. Breakers are designed to protect wiring circuits, motors, and other more rugged electronics as they blow more slowly. A bilge pump would be happy with a CB, and it is resettable (sp). Fuses are used typically because they are cheaper.
Bilge pumps are specifically designed to be protected with a fuse no larger than the pump makers recomendation. This is so a stalled rotor does not start a fire. It is one of the few places on a boat where we are actually protecting the device as opposed to the wire. Using a fuse that is too large, on a bilge pump, can result in a stalled pump starting a fire.
As a pump rotor becomes stalled or slowed due to gunk, debris or bilge growth the current draw of the pump can exceed it safe designed working load. Most folks also don't realize that the new mercury free bilge switches have a non-re-settable thermal breaker in them also intended to prevent a fire. If this one time thermal breaker trips the bilge switch is done. By over sizing the fuse you risk ruining both the pump and the bilge switch.
When Rule says to use a 3A fuse please use a 3A fuse not a 15A fuse.......
Besides being cheap, the only benefit of a fuse is preventing instant surges or overloads. An overloaded pump would be protected by a CB as well. Personally, I would never buy a part that didn't have a resettable thermal breaker. That's ludicrous in my opinion. Why would the breaker be in the switch and not the pump or is this a integral unit?
The problem is in finding a CB in the size ratings of the bilge pump. Generally breakers are 5A, 10A etc. and you can only usually find them as small as 3A. Bilge pump fuse recommendations are often 1.5A, 2.5A, 7.5A etc... You can certainly have a breaker in that circuit but if it is not the correct size then you'll also need an in-line ATC or AGC type fuse. The reason most every bilge switch you will find has an AGC fuse holder is because it allows you to easily install and new or different or larger or smaller pump, that may have a different fuse rating, and install a $1.00 fuse vs. a $20.00 + breaker...
Then don't buy a Rule bilge switch because there is a thermal breaker is inside it. (FWIW you could not pay me to install a Rule bilge switch)
Good to know! I wouldn't even think to check - I just assume resettable if any.
I didn't think about availability of a low amp CB.