help with installing main battery fuse

[snowy23]

I'd like to install a 20-30a fuse in the pos terminal wire going to the battery. What's the best way to splice it in? I have 10gage wire for my main feeds (+ and -). Do I need a fuse holder with 10 gage or will smaller wire do?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: help with installing main battery fuse

Are you talking about the main feed to the dash?

If you splice in a smaller wire, the entire circuit suffers.
Think of your circuit as a 1" water pipe, now cut that pipe and put in a piece of 1/2" pipe - would you still get the same water flow?

BTW, as a mains protector, a marine grade resettable circuit breaker is a better option.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: help with installing main battery fuse

Are you talking about the main feed to the dash?

If you splice in a smaller wire, the entire circuit suffers.
Think of your circuit as a 1" water pipe, now cut that pipe and put in a piece of 1/2" pipe - would you still get the same water flow?

BTW, as a mains protector, a marine grade resettable circuit breaker is a better option.

Agreed if you blow your main fuse accidentally while you're out on the water and don't have a spare you're in trouble! A circuit breaker would allow you to reset it and get power restored.

 

[snowy23]

Re: help with installing main battery fuse

I get the picture. I was referring to the +main from the battery to the fuse bus. How is the circuit breaker wired and what is the aprox cost? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: help with installing main battery fuse

You can buy a 20, 30, 40, and 50A breakers at any store that sells marine accessories and trolling motors. They are installed the same way a fuse would be except they have screw terminals. The +12V feed from the battery connects to one terminal. The other terminal connects to the battery. Mount the breaker as close to the battery as possible. The breaker will cost about $5.00