ANL-50 32V Fuse...Are they all created equal?

[Nick in Manitou]

We are having some charging issues and I found a Bussmann ANL-50 fuse that appears to have blown. It is the fuse that is in the Guest electrical box in the starboard engine room. It is labeled, "Battery Charger 50A"

When I check for potential across it with the battery charger set to "Low" I get 6.7V, so I am thinking that if it were not blown there should not be much, if any, potential across the two ends of the fuse. (I am no electrician and I have never worked with this type of fuse before.)

I have looked online a bit for this type of fuse and have seen prices that go from $80 something down to $2.33 each for something that looks to be the proper size and claims to be a 50amp 32V ANL fuse. (They come in a pack of 5 with free shipping!) It sounds too good to be true...but $80 is ridiculous too!)

Does anyone have any experience with purchasing non-Bussmann/Eaton fuses for use in the 32 volt systems?
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Thanks,
Nick

[SKYCHENEY]

Order it from Sams and you'll be sure to get the right fuse.

And you'll feel good that you're supporting this forum's owner.

[Nick in Manitou]

Sky,

I always think of ordering from Sam's first because I depend on this forum. I have purchased a number of things from them and certainly appreciate them as a source of knowledge about my boat.

As I am not sure if the fuse is the cause of my problem or if it is a symptom of the problem, I have to allow for the possibility that I will find out that I need at least one more fuse before I correct the underlying problem.

Our budget is tighter than we would like for it to be and finding brand name replacement parts that are selling for significantly less than the $27.75 plus shipping each that Sam's is asking for the fuse tests my loyalty - especially if I need more than one.

Maybe I am cheap, but maybe I am just poorer than I would wish.

Nick

[tonytrakovich]

ANL- 50 fuses have the same specs. 32vac and 80vdc. Your fuse looks blown. On a good fuse you should get no voltage across the fuse. A blown fuse could read voltage across when power is on.

[Nick in Manitou]

Thanks Tony!

Continued investigation tells me that the cheapest ones are "gold tone plated". The ones I am replacing are silver plated. That might be the differentiator between $2.33 ones and the more expensive ones.

Nick

[SEVEN]

Nick I might have a 50 on my boat but will not be there until after Christmas. If you still need it then call me on the Friday after Christmas and I’ll verify.

[Nick in Manitou]

Rusty,

Thanks for the offer, but when I thought about the fact that my 6 month old batteries were severely discharged I figured that I should get them charged again ASAP.

West Marine had the fuse I needed and I ordered a couple more as backups (through another source). So I have that requirement covered.

I installed the replacement fuse and the batteries are now back to full charge. I will be starting the engine later today and will see if the problem recurs or if it was a fluke.

Thanks again for the offer.

Nick

[sixty]

I agree, all ANL fuses "should" be the same. the cheaper ones are definitely lower quality however I have installed them on my panel and they work fine.

[SEVEN]

Rusty,

Thanks for the offer, but when I thought about the fact that my 6 month old batteries were severely discharged I figured that I should get them charged again ASAP.

West Marine had the fuse I needed and I ordered a couple more as backups (through another source). So I have that requirement covered.

I installed the replacement fuse and the batteries are now back to full charge. I will be starting the engine later today and will see if the problem recurs or if it was a fluke.

Thanks again for the offer.

Nick

Great news cheap fix.