Fuses Vs circuit breaker

[scoob12 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close scoob12]

Hi just after some info and advice with fuses compared to dc circuit breakers, installing a dual system in the prado and been looking at putting in circuit breakers to protect the battery rather than fuses, save carrying spares.
In my job installing telecom gear we have had dramas with dc breakers not tripping under loads and shorting out. Has anyone had any dramas in with dual battery systems protected by breakers?

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

Where were you thinking of putting breakers? on the positive feed between both batteries? Your going to need a pretty decent size breaker if your doing that, when you think what load your starter motor & high powered accessories like Winches can pull.

Not speaking for everyone, but most people dont put fuses/breakers between the batteries. Just remember to separately double insulate the positive and negative wires, and keep them secured with lots of cable ties.

Breakers are great for protecting your load devices, I personally just wouldnt use them between batteries though.

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

If you get a big enough one no worries, I have a 100 amp breaker between mine. The only thing I'd say is avoid the auto resetting ones, I've had a bad experience with one of those...

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

I don't use a fuse between the batteries. The cables are double insulated and secured accordingly.

Between the aux battery and my accessories I use a 60amp auto reset circuit breaker with no issues. I remove the mounting bracket on mine and cover it with resin heat shrink (I only heat the ends where the cable is to seal it, not the breaker itself) and have had no issues for a number of years.

Winston.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Personally I would only use self resetting circuit breakers on vital electrics
ie electric brakes. All circuit breakers gradually deteriorate after each trip
and self resetting ones may weld their contacts and not trip.

A circuit breaker can also mask a wiring problem and you only find out about
when your out in the middle of nowhere.

A fuse is simple, it may take a little longer to trip the a circuit breaker but it will
trip if the current exceeds its rating! It also forces you to take note and address
the problem that caused it to blow.

I have fused all my cabling that is directly connected to the battery including the
winch and starter cables. Personnel preferences, yes all my wiring is double insulated
but in an accident situation insulation can be sliced by crumpling panels, yes the manufacture
doesn't fuse it but he only runs a cable from the battery to the starter motor.

Cheers
Leigh