dennis wrote:dennis wrote:Thanks. I always like to use the smallest rated fuse that does not blow.
Hope this isn't a dumb question, bsgengine, but is the fuse between the regulator and battery to protect the regulator? I read that the lower the battery voltage, the higher the amperage. If the battery had an internal short, I wonder if that would really jump up the amperage, and affect the regulator?
NO, fuse is to protect the battery and electrical system (against potential fire) if the regulator were to short out or fail allowing battery voltage through to ground (or via the stator windings, though unlikely with a regulator) the result is equivalent to shorting battery to ground - extremely hot wires, burning wires, leading to fires and worse.
Same reason you want a fuse or circuit breaker in household wiring, or in your car - protecting against shorting out the electrical system. So, the closer to the battery or whatever connection terminal that you can place the fuse, the better (less wire to rub on metal parts and short out) - that's why you often have to dig into a wiring harness or tight tractor compartment near the switch or dashboard to find fuse holders, since they'll be closest to the "terminal point" of the circuit - which usually starts at switch , or solenoid, etc.
How poor are they who have not patience. What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? - Iago (Othello Act II, Scene 3)