screw in fuse holders?

[Grid Runner Adventures]

Hi guys. how many circuits do you need in an average camper?

i just need 3 lights inside and 1 outside for the door.

can you use these to make a fuse panel. or do you need something different.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062231#

[bobhenry]

Here is my high tech electrical center.



I did right side, left side, front wall and galley area 4 glass little fuses

Don't know why just seemed right and I will hopefully never be setting totally in the dark.

The large round item on the left is a fused disconnect and can be used as a main shut off manually. All white grounds are returned to the battery via the grounding lug on the right.

All the parts are at your nearest advance of autozone automotive parts store except the ground lug which is available in any good home supply store in the electrical section.

[Grid Runner Adventures]

was at work today radioshack and they have 4 port glass fuse holders that are breakaway so if you just needed 2 or 3 port.

real cheap too.

are breakers needed for a trailer?

[Ageless]

Fuses are used for the 12V circuit; breakers if you install 110V

[Mike_La]

Fuses are used for the 12V circuit; breakers if you install 110V

A Fuse and a Breaker serve the same purpose, to protect the circuit, whether it be 12 Volts DC or 11o Volt AC. One can be used in place of the other. Grant it, the Fuses and Breakers made for 12 Volt DC is designed and built differently than those made for 110 Volt AC.

Once the rated load of a Fuse is surpassed, it Blows(Burns), thus opening the circuit to protect it.

Once the rated load of a Breaker is surpassed, it opens the circuit to protect it.

When a Fuse blows, it must be replaced for the circuit to close.

When a Breaker opens, it either needs to be reset manually if it's a manual reset Breaker. If it's an auto-reset, it will reset itself when it cools.

Example:

A 12 Volt Glass Fuse.


A 12 Volt ATC Fuse.


A 12 Volt Breaker(manual re-set).


A 12 Volt Breaker(auto re-set).


A 110 Volt Screw-in Glass Fuse.


A 110 Volt Breaker.

[Mike_La]

Hi guys. how many circuits do you need in an average camper?

i just need 3 lights inside and 1 outside for the door.

can you use these to make a fuse panel. or do you need something different.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062231#

Yes, you can use those Fuse Holders to make up your own fuse panel. You'll need to install the proper fuse to protect each individual circuit.

Or you could buy one of these.


The installation is easier, quicker and about the same price as buying 4 or 6 individual holders. They usually run about $12 for a 6 place fuse panel. This way, you'd have room for upgrades. Auto parts stores sell this type.

[Dale M.]

The also make this ATC fuse holder with a GROUND terminal for circuits....



And they also have these cool fuses that light up when "blown"....

http://order.waytekwire.com/products2/M ... rotection/


Dale

[Grid Runner Adventures]

i was just looking at this the other day.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062258

[bobhenry]

i was just looking at this the other day.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062258

That's the one I have in the pic above !

[Grid Runner Adventures]

last question that i can think of. what are the benifits of spade style over glass.

[Ageless]

Looks; they both do the same job. I prefer glass fuses as it's easier to see a blown fuse in less than perfect light.

[Grid Runner Adventures]

I am liking the idea of running all the switches right at the fuse panel what do you guys do.

[Corwin C]

last question that i can think of. what are the benifits of spade style over glass.

I prefer the "spade" (ATC) style over the glass because they are color coded and easier to read the amperage rather than the stamped metal of the glass. I also like that they don't roll away when removed from the holder. And they don't require as delicate handling IMHO, you can yank them out with pliers if needed. Also, around here a glass fuse can be sometimes difficult to find, ATC's are all over the place.

Disadvantages ... sometimes with glass fuses, you can find the blown one with a visual inspection. Usually the ATC style needs to be removed to see the element inside (or use a multimeter). Mine are labeled ... if a circuit doesn't work I know where to look first.

[Grid Runner Adventures]

I really kind of want to use the old glass screw in fuses, they used them in air streams as well. the reason (im not quite normal)

they are reproduced now and readily available. just gotta make sure I have them on hand for any big trips so i dont have to go scouting in unfamiliar towns.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101162&d=1272118070

[Arne]

I bought an inline fuse holder for the new 2 prong fuses. It sits near the battery and has a 20 amp fuse in it... so, I only have that one inline fuse. Off it, I run several interior lights and the fantastic vent fan... Unless I stick a screwdriver into one of the light sockets, it should never blow.

Has been that way for 2 years with no problems. It isn't like a house with a ton of places that things can go wrong and 50 outlets and you have a lot of draw, it is just a couple of small lights.