There are a lot of threads that talk about blown fuses and checking fuses after an abrupt engine failure but I have a question about fuses in general.
Does a blown fuse always indicate a looming problem or the beginning of a chronic problem? I know it sounds like a dumb question but during my life I've only had 3 fuses ever blow on me in over 35 years in both cars and boats. Two were in a car and one today in my boat.
The car had a bad DC adapter plug shorting out. The boat died abruptly today and the first thing I checked was the 4 fuse holders that are wired to various gauges behind my instrument panel. The one that blew as a 20A fuse to the starter key switch.
I replaced the fuse and all was well for 30 minutes until I got back into the slip. I didn't want to risk a longer test as it was getting dark and I didn't' want to get stranded out all night.
I did a quick check of all wiring and it was all tight and looked good. I didn't see any signs of failure, corrosion or anything else.
Do fuses just blow sometimes and then all is well? Or, do I need to go on a major hunt for a culprit? I could just wait till it happens again. If it doesn't happen in the next, say, 20 hours, then I'm inclined to think it was just a random occurrence.
Is that naive?
Does a blown fuse always indicate a looming problem or the beginning of a chronic problem? I know it sounds like a dumb question but during my life I've only had 3 fuses ever blow on me in over 35 years in both cars and boats. Two were in a car and one today in my boat.
The car had a bad DC adapter plug shorting out. The boat died abruptly today and the first thing I checked was the 4 fuse holders that are wired to various gauges behind my instrument panel. The one that blew as a 20A fuse to the starter key switch.
I replaced the fuse and all was well for 30 minutes until I got back into the slip. I didn't want to risk a longer test as it was getting dark and I didn't' want to get stranded out all night.
I did a quick check of all wiring and it was all tight and looked good. I didn't see any signs of failure, corrosion or anything else.
Do fuses just blow sometimes and then all is well? Or, do I need to go on a major hunt for a culprit? I could just wait till it happens again. If it doesn't happen in the next, say, 20 hours, then I'm inclined to think it was just a random occurrence.
Is that naive?
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