In line fuse or circuit breaker

[daverami]

Hi all,

I'm installing a Blue Sea panel for some aux stuff. Each item will be fused at the panel, but I should probably have a fuse or circuit breaker between it and the battery. The thing is rated at 100 amps max, but I don't think I will have that much of a total load. What would you recommend between the battery and the panel, an in line fuse, or maybe a circuit breaker, and what about the amp rating for those. I was thinking of maybe something like 40-80, just for protection from the battery to the panel. I was planning on running 8 gauge wire.

Thanks

 

[Antichrist]

You can use either a fuse or circuit breaker (either is fine, both have pros and cons) sized lower than the load the wire can safely carry. You need to know the length of wire to figure it's load capacity. If you're doing it to protect from shorts, you obviously want it as close to the battery as you can.
It might be cheaper/easier to just run the wire in a protective loom.

 

[ntsqd]

If the run is to the rear of the vehicle, then a fuse or breaker at the battery is a very good idea.

If it is only a couple feet at most within the engine bay then I second Tom's loom advice.

Re: fuse vs. breaker choice. My thinking is since this is the power to a fuse panel being protected that I'd use a self re-setting breaker. That way it is obvious which protector has the problem. Not to say that a large fuse is a bad idea, just my approach to the design of the circuit.

 

[spressomon]

I am in the process of redoing one of my aux fuse panels. I have decided to utilize a surface mount CB to protect the line between the battery and fuse panel (per and thanks to Ali for this recommendation!):

http://bluesea.com/category/3/10/productline/overview/150

 

[rickc]

Check Bussman marine breakers. They are waterproof and come in a number of types and amp ranges. The one I plan to use on my new lightbar setup can also be used as an isolator switch. There's a place on EBay that sells them.

 

[cruiser guy]

If you're protecting the panel you need a breaker/fuse to protect the wire. Go as large as the wire can safely take. That way you can add to the panel without changing the breaker/fuse.