Extra Fuse

[OptiMax]

Should I install a fuse (other than the fuse on the CD player) near the battery on a CD player in a pontoon?

If so, what size fuse would be appropriate (it's a 52W x 4 CD deck)?

[Jeremy airjer W]

What size is the fuse on the cd player now? The cd player will always be protected by its own fuse no matter what the size of the fuse is before it. The fuse you install will only be be protecting the circuit before the cd player fuse, unless you install a fuse that is smaller than the cd player fuse (I'm not sure why a guy would do that). So, If your concerned about the positive wire to the cd player becoming grounded or shorted than go ahead and install a fuse at the battery. The biggest one I would use is a probably a 20 amp, depending on the wire size.

[OptiMax]

It's got a 10-amp plugged in the back of it.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I would probably go with a 10 amp fuse than

[OptiMax]

Thank you.

[Whoaru99]

The 10 Amp fuse is to "protect" the radio.

The size of fuse to use at the battery really depends on the size of the wire you run from the battery to the radio. However, as mentioned if the radio is the only device on the circuit, then there is really no reason to go much, if any, larger than 10 amps.

I'd use 14ga if the distance from battery to radio is up to 10ft, or 12 ga if between 10 and 20 feet. This should provide for voltage drop of less than 5% at the full 10A load (which you'll likely never see).

[PierBridge]

No need for an additional fuse, but if you want one a 10 amp on the positive wire would suffice.

Welcome to the site....

[Jeremy airjer W]

I can't believe I forgot to welcome you to Fishing Minnesota, I'm usually on top of that!

Welcome Opti!!!

[OptiMax]

Thanks for the welcome, guys.

So I would be fine without the extra fuse?

[Whoaru99]

Well, it depends, IMO.

If the radio is the only thing on that circuit, then I agree; you only need one fuse? BUT that fuse should be at the beginning of the wiring run, not the end.

Say you have just one fuse and that is the one at the radio. What happens if the wire between the radio and the battery shorts out and there is no fuse at the battery. In a short answer, at least smoke and maybe fire.

Personally, I recommend a fuse at the beginning (battery end) of any wiring run.

[OptiMax]

It's the only thing on the circuit.

[Whoaru99]

So yes, then one 10A fuse would be fine, but at the battery.

Myself, I never cut up radio wiring harnesses. I've tried to help many a friend patch up wires that have been hacked down to only a couple inches left. So, by default, unless the radio harness connects directly to the battery without extending the wires, you really end up with two fuses anyway - unless you are going to cut off the one at the radio, that is.

[OptiMax]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll put one within a few inches of the battery just to be on the safe side. It's not too expensive or difficult, so I might as well.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Good choice! Personally I would run a heavier wire to the radio fused with a 20amp at the battery, Then if I wanted to add an sattelite reciever, marine radio, or a 12 volt outlet, I could tap into the same power and ground that I ran for the radio.

[OptiMax]

I wired it with pretty thick wire already. If I ever get the bug to install something else, I'll throw a bigger fuse in there. Thanks for all the advice, guys.