| Author | Message | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 2226 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>Let's focus here. Is it ok to use the 20Amp rated fuse box and what kind of regular current draws are we looking at?<, Yes it's OK, you now have permission. {  } You will rarely if ever see more than a 15 amp draw on any normal circuit in your car, except the starter which isn't fused anyway. | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 580 Registered: 4-2003 |
Simple: Hook an AMMETER with an inductive pick up sensor around the main wire on the fuse box, or wire a ammeter in series (ie, inline). Turn on all your accessories and see how much you are drawing. This draw includes everything except the signal wire to your starter relay. | ||
| Tazio Nuvolari (Nuvolari)
Member Username: Nuvolari Post Number: 274 Registered: 9-2002 |
As much as I would like to use an OEM fuse box, I have to put my foot down on a $100+ box that then needs soldering compared to a $7 box that does a better job. I'll save the KY jelly for another expense. Let's focus here. Is it ok to use the 20Amp rated fuse box and what kind of regular current draws are we looking at? | ||
| Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member Username: Robertgarven Post Number: 246 Registered: 2-2002 |
Rob, I would just replace the fuse box with an OEM one solder the contacts and bend the fuse holders in so the fuses sit tight. It will last another 26+ years. Rob | ||
| Tazio Nuvolari (Nuvolari)
Member Username: Nuvolari Post Number: 273 Registered: 9-2002 |
I have been calling around and it appears as thoughe the shovel connectors that are on the OEM fuse block are only rated for 20 amps. So the question is what is the actual current draw from the various electrics on a 308. I am assuming that it is less than 20 amps with maybe a slight spike on startup of some of the higher duty things like the cooling fans. Therefore is is safe to use a fuseblock rated for 20 amps???? | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 2222 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well... the rating is actually the maximum the circuit can flow before blowing a fuse..the circuits are not actually supposed to flow a continous 20-25-30 amps...only handle a spike of amps in that amount before blowing.. Electric motors spike when started (fan motors)or can pull continous over amps when loaded down (window motors). The less voltage availible to drive the flow, the higher the amp draw. Which is why dirty, loose, corroded wires/fuses overheat. | ||
| Tazio Nuvolari (Nuvolari)
Member Username: Nuvolari Post Number: 271 Registered: 9-2002 |
I'll be the first to admit that I know very little if anything about electrical power. I am currently in the process of looking for a fuse block that holds glass fuses for my 308. For some reason even the 'heavy duty' ones are all rated at 20 amps. This may be a silly question, but does this mean I can't put a 25amp fuse in it & / or what would happen if I did? I ask because the fuse holder is thicker in every way than the OEM holder which holds 25amp fuses. Any help would be appreciated. |