Amb fuse

stemar

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Messages
82
Hello,I installed recently a speedometer, tach, voltmeter, water temp and fuel gauges. I all installed them in series connection. Can you please tell me how many amb fuse to use, 5,10 or 20??<br />Thanks
 

AndyL

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2002
Messages
307
Re: Amb fuse

Without knowing the exact set up and whether or not you have the internal backlights on all the time it would be a guess. If you have access to a multi meter put that in circuit with maximum load applied. ie Instrument lights on also. If you have not got a multimeter and the instrument packaging does not give you an idea of each current load for the relevent items try a 5amp fuse and see if it takes it. My guess is that it would.<br />Take care and seek proper advice from someone qualified if you have any doubt as the cost of an electrician compared to the cost of an electrical fire in the dash does not bear thinking about.<br />Andy
 

Scoop

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 19, 2002
Messages
1,158
Re: Amb fuse

Stemar, why did you install them in series? I may be misunderstanding.<br />In a series connection, each item drops voltage so each would not be getting enough voltage to work properly. They should be installed in parallel. Run a line and branch each off that line. The instructions for each should let you know what size circuit they should go on. Also, I would not install them all on the same fused line or when the fuse blows, none of them will work. That would be bad.<br />You don't want to be stuck on the water without a fuel gauge, but being without the speedometer is no big deal.
 

CalicoKid

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
1,599
Re: Amb fuse

Are you sure you wired them in series? Or did you daisychain the grounds and hots separately(parallel)? What size wire did you use? If you have small wire + big fuse the wire will blow before the fuse and that's bad unless you want an insurance claim! Most guages and the lights in them don't draw much. 5A and 16 guage wire would most likely cover it. Be sure the circuit(s) are correct before heating them up, you don't want to ruin those new guages.
 

stemar

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Messages
82
Re: Amb fuse

Thanks guys,<br />Yes I quess your right I connected them in series.<br />I will use 5 amb fuse.<br />Thanks again
 

stemar

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Messages
82
Re: Amb fuse

Thanks guys,<br />I quess you are right. I connected them in series.<br />I will use 5 amb fuse.<br />Thanks again.
 

Arnold96

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 29, 2002
Messages
75
Re: Amb fuse

If you wired them in series as you said, they won't work. If you wired them in parallel or change them to that way I think a 5 amp fues would be sufficient. 5 amps X 13.8 volts = 69 watts. So really a 1 or 2 amp fuse would be enough for the backlites alone, as each bulb is probably only a watt or 2.
 
Top