1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Fusable Links STINK !

Old Apr 4, 2014 | 06:20 AM
  #16  
NJTman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,838
Likes: 1,683
From: Land of the Toxic Avenger
Best value for Maxi's for those looking:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...uctId=25058566

Free shipping to boot...

Although they're not technically "waterproof", they have covers that keep the dirt and most of the moisture out of the fuse connection.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 06:58 AM
  #17  
peckens's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 102
From: Winterset, IA
I spent $5 on that ford fusebox and nothing on about 24 maxi fuses (they told me I could have them.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 07:29 AM
  #18  
mknittle's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 603
From: Tulsa, OK
To me Radio Shack quality is pretty sketchy. Del City has water resistant holders

http://www.delcity.net/store/Maxi-In...Holder/p_11183
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 08:11 AM
  #19  
KRB's Avatar
KRB
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 569
From: Central KY
I remember reading that some people think/know that there is a reason for fusible links. That they fail differently than a fuse and that is their design. Now I've already told you more than I know so I hope somebody knowledgable will chime in and explain?
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 08:37 AM
  #20  
mknittle's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 603
From: Tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by KRB
I remember reading that some people think/know that there is a reason for fusible links. That they fail differently than a fuse and that is their design. Now I've already told you more than I know so I hope somebody knowledgable will chime in and explain?
I remember something like the fusible links are like slow blow fuses. But I think that was before Maxi fuses. If it were me I would go with the maxi fuses Or a resettable circuit breaker( Not automatic reset) I have seen fusible links do a lot of damage to other wires close by.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 11:07 AM
  #21  
gyman98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 208
From: Saskatchewan
Originally Posted by mknittle
I remember something like the fusible links are like slow blow fuses. But I think that was before Maxi fuses. If it were me I would go with the maxi fuses Or a resettable circuit breaker( Not automatic reset) I have seen fusible links do a lot of damage to other wires close by.
The +94 trucks use a square fusible link that plugs into the fuse box. They would be ideal to use as they are fusible links and easy to replace if something goes wrong. They are both colour coded and marked with amperage
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 01:23 PM
  #22  
mknittle's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 603
From: Tulsa, OK
Maybe something like this. with a terminal strip on each side? Hey its raining and I am stuck inside Really I have no idea if it would work in real life.
Attached Thumbnails Fusable Links STINK !-w01331640059bus.jpg   Fusable Links STINK !-89-212.jpg  
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 05:00 PM
  #23  
patdaly's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,372
Likes: 172
From: Streator Illinois
Originally Posted by gyman98
The +94 trucks use a square fusible link that plugs into the fuse box. They would be ideal to use as they are fusible links and easy to replace if something goes wrong. They are both colour coded and marked with amperage
That is the 140 amp bolt in fuse that protects the whole box when you short out the alternator...... They are available at most auto parts stores, I am not sure just how many different amperage's are available. They physically bolt in, not plugin like maxi-fuses, and look just like the fuse mknittle posted right before this one.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 05:09 PM
  #24  
mknittle's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,918
Likes: 603
From: Tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by patdaly
That is the 140 amp bolt in fuse that protects the whole box when you short out the alternator...... They are available at most auto parts stores, I am not sure just how many different amperage's are available. They physically bolt in, not plugin like maxi-fuses, and look just like the fuse mknittle posted right before this one.
Del city has them in several amperages.


http://www.delcity.net/store/FLB-Ser...Fuses/p_800307
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2014 | 06:05 PM
  #25  
gyman98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 208
From: Saskatchewan
Originally Posted by patdaly
That is the 140 amp bolt in fuse that protects the whole box when you short out the alternator...... They are available at most auto parts stores, I am not sure just how many different amperage's are available. They physically bolt in, not plugin like maxi-fuses, and look just like the fuse mknittle posted right before this one.
No, I'm talking about fusible links. Since 94 dodge has used plug in fusible links like this:

Name:  08969EF6-8570-4097-A9A3-2B3E13ADCC5F.jpg
Views: 4708
Size:  85.3 KB
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 09:33 AM
  #26  
NJTman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,838
Likes: 1,683
From: Land of the Toxic Avenger
Originally Posted by j_martin
The fusible links are rated in amps, like fuses. The color is a code.



Use a Mega Fuse block and a 175 amp mega fuse for the green one.

.
Hey J.

I'm a little confused. Why do you recommend a 175 amp fuse for the green wire to the alternator, when the FSM says it's a 120Amp fusable link ?

Wouldn't it be recommended to use a 120 ? or is there a buffer requirement ?
Attached Thumbnails Fusable Links STINK !-fusable-links-amperages-alt.jpg  
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 09:36 AM
  #27  
NJTman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,838
Likes: 1,683
From: Land of the Toxic Avenger
Here's what my FSM says about the color chart, and size of the fusable link, but it doesn't mention amperages like the other diagram does.

The Wiring diagram here doesn't clearly spell out the amperages like you have them.
Attached Thumbnails Fusable Links STINK !-fusable-links-color-chart.jpg   Fusable Links STINK !-fusable-links-charging-systems-diesel.jpg  
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 10:27 AM
  #28  
diesel402004's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 5
From: Montucky
So...I know this thread is about how bad fuseable links are and stuff, but, hypothetically, If I wanted to replace a fused link after fixing a short would this product work? I figure the existing setup managed to go 300K just like my other rig (still going), and I've never had any other rig go that far, that it can't be all THAT bad
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 02:56 PM
  #29  
patdaly's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,372
Likes: 172
From: Streator Illinois
Originally Posted by gyman98
No, I'm talking about fusible links. Since 94 dodge has used plug in fusible links like this:

Cool, I always just called them fuses, now I know why I can't always find what my FSM calls fusible links!

Thanks!
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 03:02 PM
  #30  
patdaly's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,372
Likes: 172
From: Streator Illinois
Originally Posted by diesel402004
So...I know this thread is about how bad fuseable links are and stuff, but, hypothetically, If I wanted to replace a fused link after fixing a short would this product work? I figure the existing setup managed to go 300K just like my other rig (still going), and I've never had any other rig go that far, that it can't be all THAT bad
Yikes, you wouldn't use 100 feet if you fixed every car that lost one in the state of California!

You can buy short sections of the correct gauge fusible link wire for cheap in just about any auto parts store if you just want to go back stock.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:43 AM.