#8 fusable link
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The fusible link needs to be non-flammable. If it were to fry/melt, it must not start an insulation fire nor must it propagate excess heat to adjoining wiring. A proper fusible-link has appropriate insulation and has non-flammable termination points where joined with other wiring. A little ball of JB Weld epoxy at each juncture will do that job.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 470
Likes: 147
From: Va.Beach Va.
The fusible link needs to be non-flammable. If it were to fry/melt, it must not start an insulation fire nor must it propagate excess heat to adjoining wiring. A proper fusible-link has appropriate insulation and has non-flammable termination points where joined with other wiring. A little ball of JB Weld epoxy at each juncture will do that job.
How do you use your epoxy? This is new to me.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
That picture is from a stock C5 harness I am repairing. There is a hard sealant under the shrink tube. I have no clue what it is, but I can see JB weld being okay for the application.
I imagine someone knows specifically what it is.
I imagine someone knows specifically what it is.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Just use a wad of JB Weld stick (putty) epoxy, knead it as required, then form a little ball with your palms and place one over each connection point on the fuse-link. That will prevent heat transfer to the adjoining wire insulation. I think the heat-shrink tubing idea is a good one, as long as you test a sample to prove that it WILL NOT propagate a flame when torched.
So [non-flammable] heat shrink tubing over the #12 wire and ball of heat tolerant epoxy around each connection point should provide you with a suitable fusible link for a #8 wire. If you find that your 'new' link fails in short order, I suspect there is a high current draw in that circuit somewhere or you are overloading that line beyond what a #8 should handle.
So [non-flammable] heat shrink tubing over the #12 wire and ball of heat tolerant epoxy around each connection point should provide you with a suitable fusible link for a #8 wire. If you find that your 'new' link fails in short order, I suspect there is a high current draw in that circuit somewhere or you are overloading that line beyond what a #8 should handle.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jun 8, 2020 at 02:44 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Marine Heat shrink tubing has a glue inside of it that is activated when heated up to shrink. It is worth the extra money to use it on Corvettes. It is a bit harder to remove but it sure seals well.
Why are you using a Fusible link? I bought a 125 amp circuit breaker and mounted it inside the Corvette. They are available in several different amperage's and are reliable and water-resistant.
Why are you using a Fusible link? I bought a 125 amp circuit breaker and mounted it inside the Corvette. They are available in several different amperage's and are reliable and water-resistant.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Circuit breakers and fusible-links have different purposes. You could put one in the other's place, but the "need" of it would not necessarily be served.
Circuit breakers are there to easily correct some 'expected' over-current condition. Fusible-links are used where there is NO expectation of problem...except for a rare dead-short due to some internal component failure or due to a DIY owner working on the electrical system without disconnecting the battery.
The latter case being the most common cause for Fusible-link failures....
Circuit breakers are there to easily correct some 'expected' over-current condition. Fusible-links are used where there is NO expectation of problem...except for a rare dead-short due to some internal component failure or due to a DIY owner working on the electrical system without disconnecting the battery.
The latter case being the most common cause for Fusible-link failures....