1976 F32 Main fuse panel conversion

[bssmnbll]

I want to convert the fuse board below the lower helm, with a breaker panel. Has anyone had experience with this? Can I combine circuits, like wipers, so I don't need so many breakers? Any ideas would be appreciated. Bill Nelson

[Away On Busine$$]

Bill, Good post, I would like to do the same. My fuse block has problems with the fuses making proper contact, fully in they sometimes do not complete the circuit and need to pull the fuse half way out to get contact. Next day totally the opposite. Have been told you can recondition but would prefer to replace.

[bjanakos]

Check out this thread for replacing the stock fuse block with standard parts...

http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... f=1&t=8938

Otherwise, I did a little research on replacing the fuses with breakers and the breakers just take up too much space, The entire AC/DC panel will have to be rebuilt. I was looking at some panels from Blue Sea systems and Czone. It can be done, but for me it was both cost and time prohibitive.

I then looked at replacing the current glass fuse block with ATO fuses just for the reason that they are a bit less prone to corrosion and the colors help identify the amperages. I could not find a suitable part that did not require modifications and it too proved to be time and cost prohibitive.

I decided on replacing them with the stock glass fuse blocks. For less than $20 and 20 minutes, I had two fuse blocks swapped out and solved my immediate issues. Perhaps I can revisit modernizing the panel in the future.

[Allen Sr]

FWIW they make a circuit breaker in ATC fuse sizes that you could use. They do auto reset if tripped but no off/on switch. I have used them in class 8 trucks for years. They are nice and reliable. A dab of dielectric grease before you plug them in and you should have no corrosion problems. (Another of my favorite tricks)

[prowlersfish]

I personally don't think auto reset breakers should be used in most cases .( they can hide issues ) As far as combing circuits on fuses I would not do so . If you took 2 10 amp circuits and put them on a single fuse what size fuse would you use ? If you used a 10 amp then there is a good chance it would blow as operating the 2 ,10 amp circuits would over load the fuse in normal opp . Now lets say you use a 20 amp fuse . In normal opp it would not blow , BUT . Lets say you get a partly shorted device on one of the 10 amp circuits . The short is pulling 15 amps what happens ? That 20 amp fuse is feeding power to the over loaded circuit so the circuit starts to over heat and if your lucky burn out the circuit if your not so lucky you have a fire .

[larryeddington]

I think he is talking about doubling circuits that would only be used one at a time. That will work but you have to remember which ones are doubled or kapow, no fuse. Not the best idea but could work using on-off-on switches there by prohibiting doubling the load. But I agree not a great plan.

[prowlersfish]

I think he is talking about doubling circuits that would only be used one at a time. That will work but you have to remember which ones are doubled or kapow, no fuse. Not the best idea but could work using on-off-on switches there by prohibiting doubling the load. But I agree not a great plan.

No not a good plan and adding switches , sure is not making it simpler . As we add things to our boat we should be adding fuses not reducing them .

[bssmnbll]

Allen Sr., can you recall who makes the ATC board? that may be a better way to go, not need any more space, control corrosion, and ID problems

[larryeddington]

I am not suggesting adding switches but you could use either/or switches instead of original that is on-off-on, so that the circuit could not be doubled. But as I said not the best of ideas in my opinion.