circuit breaker vs fuse

[bigmandengo 10+ year member]

which is better? or what are the pros and cons to circuit breakers, because it doesnt seem like many people are running them

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[rollerdj 10+ year member]

i used to run them. it's nice when u wanna do some work, all you do is flip it off. but i think, but don't quote me on this, they get weaker over time, and they don't pop as fast as fuses. but if i'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

 

[93EXT 10+ year member]

They do get weaker over time.

 

[rollerdj 10+ year member]

but it is nice not having to look for a fuse if u do pop it.

 

[93EXT 10+ year member]

I've only ever blew one fuse, And I still don't know how it went. it just all the sudden died one day, took a while to figure out.

 

[bigmandengo 10+ year member]

http://cgi.ebay.com/CIRCUIT-BREAKER-DISTRIBUTION-BLOCK-CAR-STEREO-FUSE-200A_W0QQitemZ140188921301QQihZ004QQcategoryZ32809QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

would this be a decent breaker? it will be in my trunk away from weathering

 

[rollerdj 10+ year member]

i had the same one, but a 120a i belive. didn't have any problems outa it.

 

[93EXT 10+ year member]

ya, looks like the PG ones Ive seen.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Hey guys, old thread but I have similar questions and I utilized the Search button so...

Currently in my car, I have 4 awg and a circuit breaker (not sure on the amperage..old system was installed by Sound Innovations in Hayward, CA). The shop set it up like this with the 4 awg run going from the battery back to two 1 farad caps. Well, that was a while ago and the caps are long gone. I have my US Amps in there now hooked up to the same 4 awg run, but I'm upgrading the Big 3 and run from battery to amp to 1/0 pretty soon, so I was wondering how I should go about fusing. I already bought a US Amps 1/0 fuse holder that has a 250a fuse in it, but I like the simplicity of the circuit breaker for working on the amp (that and the fuse holder I got is pretty big). Now, how should I go about fusing the whole system? I know I need a fuse from the alt to the bat (stock battery for now...it's brand new so I'm not buying a new one for a while), but what amperage? Also, would I be ok to run the circuit breaker I have now? Or do they make different sizes to match the gauge of the wire?

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

bump

 

[05AztecRed 10+ year member]

start your own thread, don't pirate someone else's.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Ok really? If I started my own thread someone would have said "use the search function" which I did and found a thread asking my exact question. So step off *** hole. I've been around forums for a while and know how they work. There was no need for me to start my own thread as this guy was asking the same question and didn't really get it answered.

 

[soydeedo 10+ year member]

Well I would just keep the fuse system for the batt-alt cable and then use the circuit breaker for your main power wire going to the amps. You will not really ever need to switch the batt-alt connection off so no need for a breaker really, just wire protection.

As to whether or not your old breaker accepts 1/0, it's dependent on the unit so you'll have to just eyeball it or check somehow. Some accept ring terminals so you can fit whatever gauge wire you want. If it was installed for 4 awg it might snap out at low amperage, though, so you'll have to check on that and make sure it's rated to maybe 150a or so. That's just a guesstimate - a quick way to see how high you want your main power fuse/breaker to be is to add up the fuse ratings on your amps. Of course you never want to go over the max for a certain gauge/length of wire combination. You can check that on http://www.bcae1.com or the sticky here.