Thread: ALT Fuse
View Single Post
Old 08-11-2020, 10:46 AM   #10
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,425
Default Re: ALT Fuse

I'm not a fan of battery cut off switches that are place in the direct battery line ( in negative cable to starter or in positive cable to ground). Even though switches are rated for a particular current flow when new, they don't always stay that way as they age. Some are better than others. I like the idea of at least a 1-AWG cable between the battery and the starter for best starting current as well as at least an equivalent low resistance ground cable. The 6-volt battery is capable of a lot more amperage flow than the generator or alternator is.

A master cut off switch on the system buss wire that connects to the starter switch is a good idea since the load is lower in the buss line. A person can put a 20-amp fuse there too to protect the buss from shorts. Fuses are to protect the conductor wires as a general rule. A person can use in line fuses for each component if they want. More modern vehicles use fusible links to protect the alternator side of the buss. It was not a common thing to use fuses in the power generation line for the older cars. The fuse could blow if a battery has a problem that causes undue charging rates so they just didn't do it.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote