Fuses or Circut Breakers??
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 213
Likes: 3
From: Phx/Az
Fuses or Circut Breakers??
O.K. got circut breaker box out of bone yard, now I'm curious should I use it for my '59 or should I stay with regular fuses??? I currently have 6 glass fuses but the box is in a potential kick area. I found a 6 fuses blade type block at the store so I'm not worried about alternitives, but i kinda wanna go with the circut breakers.
What do you all think?
What do you all think?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
The only place I'd consider using a circuit breaker is possibly for the headlights. I'm considering doing that on my truck. Older cars and trucks had no fusing for headlights and then they went to 20-30 amp fuses and then to circuit breakers in some models. Use fuses for all other circuits... 
Vern
Vern
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
The '59 I recently bought not only doesn't have any circuits wired to a fuse box, it is also missing a voltage regulator. I am looking for a fuse panel now, but how important is the regulator. It's driven on a daily basis and I haven't had any problems with battery drain.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Joyce, WA
Go with the breaker for headlights. On a dark and stormy night you can always reset the breaker to have lights, not so with fuses. Sounds like your truck has an alternantor with an internal regulator.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Is there any way to tell if it has an internal regulator? Looks like a stock alternator to me. Would there be any extra wiring to support the regulator? Thanks
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Rob Milner
Is there any way to tell if it has an internal regulator? Looks like a stock alternator to me. Would there be any extra wiring to support the regulator? Thanks
Do you have any idea what year and/or vehicle the alternator came off of? If it's a GM alternator the internal regulator started in 1971 and the alternator plug will be rectangular in shape and the contact blades side by side. GM alternators before 71 had a square plug with contact blades one over the other and an external square regulator with four connections. If it has an internal regulator there is no extra wiring. If it's a GM and you can get the number stamped on it, I might be able to identify it from my Motors manuals...
Vern
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; May 22, 2004 at 07:10 AM.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Have you checked the voltage while the engine is idleing vs 2000 rpm. If you didn't have a reg, the voltage would be 16 or higher. This will overcharge the battery. 
This can lead to big problems. Good luck, John 
This can lead to big problems. Good luck, John
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Vern, Yeah I don't know what year or vehicle it was from. Was on the truck when I bought it. After '71 seems right because the motor is a '74 390 and the plug is rectangular with blades side by side. Numbers too hard to read but thanks for the offer and the knowledge. Appreciate it.
John, Cool info. I still need a tach and a voltmeter. But I will definetely check that as soon as I can.Thanks.
John, Cool info. I still need a tach and a voltmeter. But I will definetely check that as soon as I can.Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Hey Rob, if you don't want to spend a bundle, places like Harbor Freight Tools sell small voltage testers for $4 on sale. It works great. The only drawback is that they don't have a ontinuity circuit. I like that for identifying unknown ground wires vs hot wires. Good luck, John