[Mobile-Portable] Automotive Circuit Breakers VS Fuses ?

[N5WV]

Thanks to all that replied ,  With all of my equipments power leads being fused and  feeding from fused West Mountain Radio "Rigrunners " , would  breakers be ok for protecting my main 4 ga power leads that run from my batteries through the firewalls and other metal body parts to the fused distribution blocks "Rigrunners" and other fused items ? The Buss automotive circuit breakers look and feel well built. Ive emailed Cooper Bussman asking them the same and how they sense short circuits , etc. When a short circuit happens a small lever pops out along its side and pushing it back in resets the device. It has a red button atop it to trip the breaker when needed. I am going to test one of the breakers myself using a stand alone 12V battery and about 10' of 4ga cable and see if it breaks shortly after sensing a short circuit. It should break before any warming of the insulation occurs. If the insulation gets warm the breakers will not be used.  Again  ,   Thanks to all and I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  Randy  N5WV 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "kd4e" <doc at kd4e.com> 
To: "Mobile-Portable Reflector" <mobile-portable at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 8:19:54 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central 
Subject: Re: [Mobile-Portable] Automotive Circuit Breakers VS Fuses ? 
he firewalls 
Most breakers are way too slow to protect sensitive 
circuit components, or so I have been told. 

> Hello Group ,   Im wanting to install "overall" short 
> circuit protection at my batteries. Im looking at using 
> the Buss CB-185-150  150 amp water proof automotive 
> circuit breakers with both batteries in my Ford Excursion 
> 6.0 diesel. But over the years I have read where in some 
> cases a fused system will offer better protection than a 
> circuit breaker ? I cant remember the details but if 
> anyone can give me some tips on using circuit breakers vs 
> fuses it would be appreciated. I like the reset feature 
> of a circuit breaker where fuses must be changed out and 
> spares must be kept on hand if you want a fast turn 
> around time with getting back on the air. Any tips ?? 
> Randy Ballard   N5WV 

-- 

Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E 
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