The big fuse again!

[PoleDriver]

Got my Cerb taxed for the summer last weekend. Sunday afternoon I went to the garage to fill up with V-power (£85 )ready for a little drive around London on Sunday night . On the way back my battery light came on!

Anyway, after a little poking around it turned out to be the big fuse. It looked fine but as soon as I loosened off one end it fell apart!

I've fitted a new fuse today but due to weather conditions (torrential rain!) have not taken her out yet.

Just after I noticed the battery light went I also saw that the tacho wasn't running, then it started working again a few minutes later. Having read a few threads about the fuse on here I've noticed many comments about unreliable operation of the tacho when the big fuse goes... Why is this? Surely the battery is still supplying a stable voltage to the electrics on the car? The tacho has been a little strange lately, I'm hoping it may have improved now, I'll find out tomorrow.

[scotty_d]

Are you using a strip fuse or a midi fuse?

The tach and the likes are the first to go as when the car is running the biggest current draw by far is your coil packs to supply your plugs. With no charge going back to the battery when the fuse splits it is being drained pretty hard.

Edited by scotty_d on Wednesday 11th April 15:39

[pmessling]

Im thinking of relocating mine whilst I have most of the car apart. I updated mine to the125 amp

[greenracing]

Recently had a similar problem where the fuse holder had literally fallen apart and the old strip fuse had snapped in two! Got 2x 125amp midi fuses and 2x fuse holders for around £10 from ebay, took the opportuity to clean all the contacts as well.

[mikethebike1127]

pmessling said:

Im thinking of relocating mine whilst I have most of the car apart. I updated mine to the125 amp

I relocated mine about 2 years ago.......to the dustbin in the garage. As I stated when I got rid of the fuse.......A RV8 with the same alternator doesn't have a fuse.....why does a Cerbera???

[gerradiuk]

Good question mike, I have been pondering this but have no idea if its suitable?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230779429078?ssPageName=...

[PoleDriver]

That looks like it would be useful. Personally I would look for a 125 or 150 amp version. My only concern would be the high temperatures in the area where it is located!

[gerradiuk]

Heat was the main concern for me too karl, i think I am right in saying you want it close as possible to the starter to avoid voltage drop off, not to mention the heat build up in the cable if you did not use a beefier cable ? I want to do this but not sure where to locate it safely .

[Tanguero]

It is a simple series circuit, so the position of the fuse won't make any difference.

[gerradiuk]

If the fuse is relocated will the extra length of the cable from the starter to the fuse breaker become an issue regarding voltage drop ?

[PoleDriver]

Try to keep the cable as short as possible. If you increase the length my more than about 25% I'd increase the thickness of the cable accordingly. Make sure that joints/connections are kept to a minimum and are sound!

[pmessling]

What size is the cable as I plan on relocating mine whilst the car is apart. Have a cable crimper at work for the lugs so that's easy enough, not sure where to move it yet but once I have the cable ( might even have some at work) I can look at possible areas

[FUBAR]

mikethebike1127 said:

I relocated mine about 2 years ago.......to the dustbin in the garage. As I stated when I got rid of the fuse.......A RV8 with the same alternator doesn't have a fuse.....why does a Cerbera???

Mine was relocated about 4 years ago to the same place as Mike's