spartonboat1
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,494
- Hatteras Model
- 43' DOUBLE CABIN (1970 - 1984)
Since I can remember (60+ adult years), the in-line fuse holders have always been the cartridge glass bullet with metal end caps. They always seemed fragile to me, and I have had numerous issues with them over the years.
When I first got the boat, the PO had the center bilge pumps fused with the bullet type . They would test ok with a meter, but were not passing much juice. I had a very slow leak, and the pump on one side would not kick on. After taking on a lot of water, finally replaced the cartridge and the fuse both.
Recently, at least to me, Blue Sea and others have come out with "Waterproof" in line fuse holders, that accept with the ATC or ATO automotive type fuses. ATC= closed, ATO= open.
Their part number is 5065.
I bought out all that West Marine at one store (2). I checked with other WB stores, but all were out. WM is having a heck of a time replacing stock!
So I keep an eye open at Rock Auto and O'Reilly. Cheaper versions and not as well made.
Today I found NAPA had a fuse holder very similar to, if not the same. Probably off the same molds somewhere in China. They had quite a few in stock so I bought several:
NAPA part # 784623.
These new holders also have the silicon rubber seal that GM has had on their cars for a decade or more.
So time permitting, I will be switching my cartridge fuses to the sealed waterproof holders. Where I can, I will install an ATC/ATO Fuse Block, such as the Blue Sea 5035.
I love new stuff that seems to work, so that is my commentary.
When I first got the boat, the PO had the center bilge pumps fused with the bullet type . They would test ok with a meter, but were not passing much juice. I had a very slow leak, and the pump on one side would not kick on. After taking on a lot of water, finally replaced the cartridge and the fuse both.
Recently, at least to me, Blue Sea and others have come out with "Waterproof" in line fuse holders, that accept with the ATC or ATO automotive type fuses. ATC= closed, ATO= open.
Their part number is 5065.
I bought out all that West Marine at one store (2). I checked with other WB stores, but all were out. WM is having a heck of a time replacing stock!
So I keep an eye open at Rock Auto and O'Reilly. Cheaper versions and not as well made.
Today I found NAPA had a fuse holder very similar to, if not the same. Probably off the same molds somewhere in China. They had quite a few in stock so I bought several:
NAPA part # 784623.
These new holders also have the silicon rubber seal that GM has had on their cars for a decade or more.
So time permitting, I will be switching my cartridge fuses to the sealed waterproof holders. Where I can, I will install an ATC/ATO Fuse Block, such as the Blue Sea 5035.
I love new stuff that seems to work, so that is my commentary.
