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Unread 01-02-2011, 06:01 PM
dboyd351 dboyd351 is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Cape Charles, VA
Posts: 46
Default Re-wiring

I'd definitely consider going to a distribution panel with blade (automotive style) fuses. A company called Blue Seas makes some good ones. I think the holders for the blade style fuses are much more secure than those little brass ears that hold the glass tube fuses. Also, the glass fuses, like the glass light bulbs with metal caps on the ends (bayonet style) will sometimes fail where the metal cap connects to the fuse wire and it isn't apparent from visual inspection that the fuse isn't making contact.

Personally, I solder, then heat shrink, all my connections. It takes more time, but ultimately gives a much more secure, stronger, better connection than any style of crimp/butt connector. Crimps and butt connectors almost always corrode from the inside and start giving marginal connections long before they actually fail. Because the crimp/butt connector hides where the wires actually connect, you don't see it happening. Heat shrink helps, but nothing is like a clean, well soldered wire connection as far as strength and assuring the best connectivity.

Typically electrical connections fail when you need them the most (wet, rough, pounding conditions), so I prefer to spend a little more time making good connections when I'm dry and comfortable on land, versus hunting down a loose wire or running without electronics when things get nasty.
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