In-line fuse

[bluedog225]

Hi all

I'm trying to wire a 40 amp, 12 volt battery charger (Xantrex TrueCharge2). The installation manual calls for a "DC circuit breaker of fused disconnect in each positive cable." I am running 8 awg wire from the charger to the battery. I was planning to use a 50 amp fuse (just my guess as to what would be appropriate).

I have not been able to find anything appropriate at one auto parts store or Lowes/Home Depot.

Is this the type of thing I should be looking for?:

http://www.technooutlet.com/das3712.html?srccode=cii_11138&cpncode=21-27724709-2

Any thoughts as to sources other than online? I'll try Radio Shack tomorrow.

Thanks

Tom

[JimConlin]

Something like this from Blue Sea (http://bluesea.com/category/5/21/productline/overview/127)?
http://bluesea.com/files/images/products/thumbs182/5006_182x182.jpg

At better boat bling stores.

[bluedog225]

Thanks. The only boating store we have is West Marine. I guess they are a better boating store. Better than nothing? :cool::D

I am going by there tomorrow for some crimpers anyway.

Tom

[pcford]

Thanks. The only boating store we have is West Marine. I guess they are a better boating store. Better than nothing? :cool::D

I am going by there tomorrow for some crimpers anyway.

Tom

fisheriessupply.com

Friends don't let friends shop at West Marine.

[the_gr8t_waldo]

on page 2-9 of the owners manuel they indicate that they want either a fused disconnet or a circuitbreaker installed in each pos battery lead( d.c. rated for the loads). these divices will assure that all the +leads will be opened at the same time and quickly. so i doubt if the in-line fuse will fullfill this requirement. the fuseing information is on page 2-10 and is based on the wire size. if your open to useing non-marine equipment, go to your local homedepo and look up weather proof airconditioner discconect houseing, and a double pole c.b. (assumeing that you've got a two battery system) just take an extra moment to be sure they are d.c. rated for the values you want. the plastic fantastic electrical equipment is all fine and dandy, but in most commercial applications- most the time they use the same stuff as you see from std. electrical supply places.

[Roger Cumming]

Why dump on West Marine? Much of what they sell is useful. True, there are the portable air conditioners and the hideous watersports equipment, but where I live there is no marine chandlery/fisheries supply, especially open on Sunday when you need some epoxy or a shackle or a few bronze screws. A world without West Marine would be more pure, like a world without jetskis. But an inconvenient world.

[paladin]

By using the stuff that he proposes he's creating a situation like an accident looking for a place to happen. You are working in a corrosive atmosphere and the inline fuses will corrode in short order.

[bluedog225]

By using the stuff that he proposes he's creating a situation like an accident looking for a place to happen. You are working in a corrosive atmosphere and the inline fuses will corrode in short order.

Are you thinking a straight line with no fuse is the way to go? Seems odd that the manufacturer wants one? What's the accident? Blown fuse? Is there a better way?

Thanks

Tom

[the_gr8t_waldo]

all electrical equipment use metal to conduct and for contact points. better to think about locating switches,and fuses outside of the corrosive enviroment-either that or postive ventalation

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

ABYC standards call for a fused link between chargers and batteries. In case of a dead short, a malfunction in the charger etc, this prevents from having a serious event involving batteries... an explosion, or a melting of the battery case spilling acid, or a fire involving the charger interior parts.
Generally the fuse holder is placed somewhere near the charger, and should be in line with what the charger produces on that line... in your truecharge's case, about 15 amps per line. A proper marine fuseholder should be used.

In addition, there are charging/inverter devices that are not explosion proof, so they should not be used in enginerooms with gasoline engines.

[bluedog225]

ABYC standards call for a fused link between chargers and batteries. In case of a dead short, a malfunction in the charger etc, this prevents from having a serious event involving batteries... an explosion, or a melting of the battery case spilling acid, or a fire involving the charger interior parts.
Generally the fuse holder is placed somewhere near the charger, and should be in line with what the charger produces on that line... in your truecharge's case, about 15 amps per line. A proper marine fuseholder should be used.

In addition, there are charging/inverter devices that are not explosion proof, so they should not be used in enginerooms with gasoline engines.

I got the 40 amp version. So I was thinking that a 50 amp fuse would be appropriate. Agreed?

Also, Xantrex wants it within 7 inches of the positive terminal.

Thanks

Tom

[BETTY-B]

You can speak directly to the engineers at Xantrex here in Washington if you call them. They are real cool and will tell you exactly what to do.

Their high end stuff is really, really good quality.

DAN