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<blockquote data-quote="Roland" data-source="post: 8242264" data-attributes="member: 647142">I know what you&#039;re saying and as a rule of thumb &quot;you always fuse for the wire size.&quot; I got that, it&quot;s a good answer, but it&#039;s not the best answer.The problem comes in when the wire size reach the point in which it can handle more power than the source power can put out. You will protect the wire but jeopardize the source.While he is running his stock alternator I would only fuse to what his stock alternator can spare. My van&#039;s stock Alternator is 130 amps, i fused for 80 amps that way it protects the wire,&nbsp; the electrical, the amps, and keep my voltage in the 14s all the time.&quot;And if he has a surge or faulty connection amd draws more that amps capability the amps fuses will pop..not strand him&quot;Granted most shorts are direct shorts, which will pop a 300 amp fuse in most cars. But the rare case that a battery is to week to supply 300 amps, OR is NOT a direct short...I guess my point is, why would you ever want less protection when you can have more protection by using a smaller fuse?I know I tend to be more cautious than most, it comes from being a aircraft mechanic for 20 years. You don&#039;t take unnecessary risks with the electrical system or any other system on a aircraft.If your SPL competing then yeah but for a everyday driver smaller is better IMO.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Roland, post: 8242264, member: 647142"] I know what you're saying and as a rule of thumb "you always fuse for the wire size." I got that, it"s a good answer, but it's not the best answer. The problem comes in when the wire size reach the point in which it can handle more power than the source power can put out. You will protect the wire but jeopardize the source. While he is running his stock alternator I would only fuse to what his stock alternator can spare. My van's stock Alternator is 130 amps, i fused for 80 amps that way it protects the wire, the electrical, the amps, and keep my voltage in the 14s all the time. [B]"And if he has a surge or faulty connection amd draws more that amps capability the amps fuses will pop..not strand him"[/B] Granted most shorts are direct shorts, which will pop a 300 amp fuse in most cars. But the rare case that a battery is to week to supply 300 amps, OR is NOT a direct short... I guess my point is, why would you ever want less protection when you can have more protection by using a smaller fuse? I know I tend to be more cautious than most, it comes from being a aircraft mechanic for 20 years. You don't take unnecessary risks with the electrical system or any other system on a aircraft. If your SPL competing then yeah but for a everyday driver smaller is better IMO. [/QUOTE]

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