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Open Roads Forum  >  Tech Issues

 > Mini Fuse vs Regular Size Fuse

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ratfink09

NYS

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Posted: 11/07/09 02:23pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Is there a difference? Want to replace the 30 amp fuse in my landing gear power line and I cannot get the reguler blade type fuse in the holder. Dealer said I could use a 30 amp mini fuse. Thanks!

btd35

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Posted: 11/07/09 02:33pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Why won't it go in the holder? It should fit unless something is wrong with the pannel, and that could be a problem. Yes a 30 amp is a thirty amp, but there must be a reason it won't fit.


Tom & Beth
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Golden_HVAC

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Posted: 11/07/09 02:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi,

Go to a auto parts store, and ask for a 30 amp mini-fuse. It is about 1/2 the width of a regular fuse. This is because some fuse panels are now containing over 30 fuses, and they needed to reduce the overall size. So they switched to a smaller fuse. They are very common.

Good Luck,

Fred.

hwybnb

Southern California

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Posted: 11/07/09 03:22pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

A 30-amp fuse is a 30-amp fuse no matter what size it is. The "regular" blade fuse is type ATC. The miniature is type ATM or MINI297. You should be able to find them at any auto supply. The color code for 30 amps is Green.

Kirk

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Posted: 11/07/09 03:49pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The catch is in the socket. If you don't use the proper designed fuse, it isn't likely to go in and if in, will it stay there when you travel? There are actually three sizes of the modern blade style fuse, Any 30A should work if it fits, although the response time from one size to another is probably different. I think that I would consider cutting the wires and installing a new fuse holder. The only problem is having two sizes of fuse in the same fuse panel.


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RCMAN46

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Posted: 11/07/09 05:01pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

hwybnb wrote:

A 30-amp fuse is a 30-amp fuse no matter what size it is. The "regular" blade fuse is type ATC. The miniature is type ATM or MINI297. You should be able to find them at any auto supply. The color code for 30 amps is Green.
A fuse is a fuse is not a fuse. The ATC 30 amp fuse has more time delay than the ATM 30 amp. Makes sense as the ATC has more mass than the ATM. Check out the Bussmann website for time current curves.Bussmann

hwybnb

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Posted: 11/07/09 05:43pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

RCMAN46 wrote:

A fuse is a fuse is not a fuse. The ATC 30 amp fuse has more time delay than the ATM 30 amp.
ATM Fuses are simply a smaller version of the ATC fuse. Both are designed for automotive use and both are classified as "fast acting". Any difference in timing too slight to be of practical unimportance.
Quote:

Makes sense as the ATC has more mass than the ATM

The physical size of a fuse housing has absolutely nothing to do with its time characteristics.

* This post was edited 11/07/09 05:53pm by hwybnb *

RCMAN46

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Posted: 11/07/09 08:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

hwybnb wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:

A fuse is a fuse is not a fuse. The ATC 30 amp fuse has more time delay than the ATM 30 amp.
ATM Fuses are simply a smaller version of the ATC fuse. Both are designed for automotive use and both are classified as "fast acting". Any difference in timing too slight to be of practical unimportance.
Quote:

Makes sense as the ATC has more mass than the ATM

The physical size of a fuse housing has absolutely nothing to do with its time characteristics.
Suggest you look up the time current curves and you will find the differance in time characteristics are significant. The more mass the fuse has will increase the melt time.

hwybnb

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Posted: 11/07/09 10:42pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

RCMAN46 wrote:

Suggest you look up the time current curves and you will find the differance in time characteristics are significant. The more mass the fuse has will increase the melt time.


I don’t know if you are serious or trolling but will give it one more shot.

You say the ATC fuse will be slower than the ATM because it has more bulk. That is not the case. Both are classified as “fast acting” fuses. All fast acting fuses regardless of physical configuration have similar time characteristics. Those depend on the size and composition of the fusible link inside, not on the size of the package.

The charts are hard to read because they are small and use logarithmic scales, but they show that the characteristics of the two fuse types are nearly identical.

I have tried to help you understand. If you still do not get it there is nothing more I can do.

* This post was last edited 11/08/09 09:37am by hwybnb *   View edit history

wa8yxm

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Posted: 11/08/09 10:14am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I find that mini-blade type fuses fit in normal blade type holders

There are 3 sizes (that I"ve found) of flat blade size fuses..

Mini, Normal and big suckers.


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Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377


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