Fuse sizes for blower, bilge, etc?

[Rhadley]

I need to replace the fuses in the boat I just bought, and some are missing. What fuses should I use for the following:<br />Bilge pump<br />Blower<br />Horn<br />Nav lights<br />Ignition.<br /><br />I don't see the info in my book.<br />Boat is 1984 120 Mercruiser, 4 cyl, but I doubt that matters.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Fuse sizes for blower, bilge, etc?

Moving to Boat questions.

 

[jinx]

Re: Fuse sizes for blower, bilge, etc?

Fuses or other overcurrent devices are there to protect the wiring. If you cannot find the info you need, then a rule of thumb would be a fuse of sufficient size to run the appliance but under no circumstances exceeding the ability of the wire guage to carry the current.<br /><br />For example, in your house, 14 ga wire cannot have a breaker over 15 amps. 12 ga wire cannot exceed 20 amps--regardless of the appliances attached.<br /><br />Of course the wiring in your boat will be of much smaller guage, generally.<br /><br />Failure to protect the wire will lead to a possible fire in the event of a short.<br /><br />I hope that helps, but as with all information posted, verify.<br /><br />Jinx

 

[Rhadley]

Re: Fuse sizes for blower, bilge, etc?

Thanks, jinx. Good point regarding the wire size being the main factor.

 

[RTW2112]

Re: Fuse sizes for blower, bilge, etc?

Fuses are meant to protect the device as well as the supply wires, you must make sure that the fuse is not too large for the device you are protecting. For example, if you have a lighting circuit in your house then it must be protected by a 15 amp breaker regardless if the wire is 14ga, 12ga or even 8ga for that matter.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Fuse sizes for blower, bilge, etc?

RTW2112 is right on which is why this is a tricky post and you have not received more responses. Any wrong information could have disasterous results. For example, if you decide to be "cautious" and put say a 10A fuse in for your bilge, but in reality it can draw 15A during certian conditions, your pump could fail just when you need it the most. In some cases, you might not even know it is not working.... risky <br /><br />Contact the boat manufacturer and see if they can help.<br /><br />If not, you need to examine the circuits and the rating of the accessory being fed. For example, what is the rated current of your bilge pump and your blower?