Circuit Breaker necessary??

[gwp]

89 mercruiser 5.7 / Today when I turned the ignition to crank, nothing happened. I finally realized the ignition switch was not getting voltage. Turned out, there is a 20 amp, push button circuit breaker above the ignition switch that was bad. I by-passed it and everything worked fine. Question....How important is the breaker? I have yet to find a fuse box. So is that the only protection for the ignition circuit? Kinda new to I/O's so your help is appreciated.

 

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Re: Circuit Breaker necessary??

That circuit breaker is VITAL for continued charging circuit protection, and to limit the current the wires are allowed to carry. If the breaker is bypassed, the wires can carry enough for them to melt-down and burn.Burn is not a good thing for wires to do on a boat.<br />Hopefully tho, the breaker is worn out,and can be replaced,ending the problem.<br />If the new one still kicks out,there is a short in that ignition circuit that needs attention anyway, before you get stranded.<br />Here's hoping that breaker is bad.