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What size fuse???
Posted: April 16th, 2007, 10:39 pm
by rocket
I installed a ciggarette lighter plug on my boat this evening so I can run my gps off 12v. I used a 20 amp fuse, but Don't know if this the correct size. I'm afraid this might be too big.
Anybody know the correct amp fuse for this application?
Posted: April 16th, 2007, 10:44 pm
by mjsigns
10 amp would be my guesstimate.
Posted: April 16th, 2007, 10:56 pm
by MudDucker
Most gps's have a fuse already in their cigarette lighter plug. If you can screw the tip of the plug off, you can see if there is a fuse. If so, it don't matter what size you use for the plug in as long as it is at least as big as the one in your gps plug.
Posted: April 16th, 2007, 10:57 pm
by leonreno
If you were only going to use it for the GPS then the best way to determine the right fuse would be to look at the power requirements on the label for the device, it should list DC amps. Ad a little to this figure and you are good. But, if you might use it for other things I would say 10 amp is about right, but most 12volt adapters probably come with a fuse I would think. The GPS probably does not draw that many amps though. My Garmin GPSMap 172c only draws 2.0 amps.
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 5:32 am
by tin can
Not sure about all brands of GPS, but if you have a Garmin, MudDucker is right on. There is a fuse in the plug.
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 7:53 am
by Hit-n-Miss
Hope you used a marine grade cig lighter or it wont last 2 months.
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 8:05 am
by rocket
Yes it's Garmin. I guess I should have checked that first
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 8:05 am
by rocket
Hit-n-Miss wrote:Hope you used a marine grade cig lighter or it wont last 2 months.
It's marine grade
Thanks for everyones help
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 8:15 am
by Barhopr
I know my 376C only has a .5A fuse.
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 12:54 pm
by rocket
Barhopr wrote:I know my 376C only has a .5A fuse.
Trade ya for my 176C
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 12:58 pm
by Barhopr
rocket wrote:Barhopr wrote:I know my 376C only has a .5A fuse.
Trade ya for my 176C
You know I would, but I've already drilled holes in the boat for it.
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 1:01 pm
by mjsigns
I've got a Garmin also... I should have checked it before responding... I've never had to replace that fuse.
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 1:11 pm
by rocket
Barhopr wrote:rocket wrote:Barhopr wrote:I know my 376C only has a .5A fuse.
Trade ya for my 176C
You know I would, but I've already drilled holes in the boat for it.
Minor details
Posted: April 17th, 2007, 2:37 pm
by grim reeler
My lowrance uses a 3 amp fuse.
Posted: April 18th, 2007, 9:23 pm
by leonreno
Even though your GPS plug has a fuse in it you still need one at the battery for the 12 V Adapter. One, is you may not always have the GPS plugged in but you may plug in something else. But the main reason is the fuse in the GPS adapter is to protect the GPS unit, and the fuse at the battery for the 12v adapter is to protect the boat from a short between the battery and the 12v adapter. If you short the wire between the plug and the battery the fuse in the GPS plug will not do any good to protect the battery and your boat. And I would go with a 10 amp or less fuse, those wires on the plugs are usually small, so go small with the fuse. You would probably be good with a 5 amp fuse.