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Ben E

Lenny has a mystery problem

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Has anyone ever heard of the very strange problem that Lenny Rudow just emailed to some of us so-called 'experts'?

"I have encountered a completely bizarre electrical/electronics problem on my boat which has left me scratching my head, and I'm hoping one of y'all will have some idea of what the heck is going on, and take a moment to help me out. When I turn on the battery switch which provides power to my fuse panel, anything which has a five-amp fuse is powerless. Everything with any other size fuse works just fine. If I remove the five amp fuse then plug it back in, the unit works. If I turn the battery switch off and back on after doing so, the units with five amp fuses are dead again... until I remove then replace the fuses. The fuses aren't blown and don't have to be switched, just pulled then reinserted. Units with three amp fuses work just fine. Units with 10 amp fuses work just fine. It's only those with five amp fuses. If I swap out a five amp for a 10 amp on any of these, the unit fires right up. Go back to five amps, and... you get the picture. This is a new one to me, and I'm about ready to rip out the whole dang fuse panel, rewire, and replace it. I'd go ahead and do it but at this point curiosity is driving me crazy... any ideas, guys?"

4 Replies

  • You didn't say which fuses your using, I will hazard a guess it's the ATO/ATC style fuse ( colored plastic and two prongs)

    There is a bunch of these made overseas that are somewhat slightly different. It's not so noticable as the fuses are already entirely different in color based on #amps.

    Your problem is that the 5 amp fuse, although it appears identical in type to your other fuses, is slightly different and is just barely making contact because it's not compatible with your fuse holder. It only establishes contact when you are wiggling it into place, as soon as the current stops, there is enough of a gap that current won't flow when the circuits is again engergized.

    Replace the 5 AMP fuses with some other source, and you will be all set.

    By the way, I am enjoying reading your articles, well done Lenny.

  • Your electrolisis article was interesting, I might try try.

  • Your guess as to fuse type is correct, and what you're suggesting actually makes sense(!) I'll let you know what happens when I get a couple fo new fuses and swap 'em out - thanks!

  • I'm impressed Dan...