Fuses - A good idea

gizmomkr · 02-04-2002, 05:04 PM

I had an interesting experience the other day -

I have a Aux Battery in my trunk next to the PC. The bare side of my case faces the battery.

Well, I took a shard turn and the battery fell at just the right angle to connect the + terminal to the case of the PC.

I of course had no idea untill I smelled burning rubber... coming from the trunk... I slammed on the breaks and pulled over so fast.... poped the trunk - Filled with smoke.

The most frustrating part (after pulling the entire wiring harness....) I had a fuse on the + lead of my car Batt, but that never poped because the short was from the terminal on the aux to the ground) Lesson learned - Should have put a fuse from case ground to car ground

Just thought I'd share

RaZor · 02-04-2002, 05:42 PM

did it do any damage to the pc?

jboy · 02-04-2002, 10:06 PM

IDEA #2
Bolt down you battery and make sure it's vented out of the car (trunk+explosive gasses+elctronics=B

M)

Alives · 02-04-2002, 11:16 PM

also fusing at the battery is fine because you will never have an alternate current source unless you have a battery in your trunk

Aaron Cake · 02-05-2002, 09:57 AM

Lesson 2: Bolt battery to trunk floor. It would become a 50 pound projectile in the event of a collision if not properly secured.
Lesson 3: Insulate battery terminals.

PaulzY · 02-05-2002, 10:09 AM

so if your grounding your case to a spot on the car you have to a add a fuse between the wire going from a metal piece of your case to a piece of metal of the car?

what if you have a plexi case ?

im not sure im totaly understanding this

gizmomkr · 02-05-2002, 12:09 PM

Aaron - Good advice,

I did immediately bolt the battery down & Insulate the lugs.

Paul - No you dont have to worrie about grounding your plexi case or the fuse... mine is a fairly unique situation with an AUX battery and charging circuit.

No, the pc didnt get hurt

and the Battery is a small 20 Amp Sealed lead acid, not much point in venting.

I think most people run a line off the + Car Batt, and fuse that; That would work fine.

[ 02-05-2002: Message edited by: gizmomkr ]

hornet · 02-06-2002, 01:00 AM

Definatly secure the battery solidly.

Imagine if you rolled your car, and it landed on the roof. Petrol (gas) pouring out, and the battery is now terminal side down, on your boot lid, arcing against the metal boot lid...i wouldn't like to be in that situation.

I have rolled at car at 60km/h (35mph) because some other moron driver hit me from behind at about 120kmh.

Alives · 02-06-2002, 03:04 AM

he said its an SLA battery...as long as it doesnt get punctured its safe as hell

Aaron Cake · 02-06-2002, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alives:
<STRONG>he said its an SLA battery...as long as it doesnt get punctured its safe as hell</STRONG>

Not true. 12V @ 700 amps through a short is NOT something you want to see.