Fuse .where to mount

M

MARKA

Member
I was wondering if there is a reason why the instructions on Model A parts vendor supplied fuse holders say to connect it to the wiring loom after the starter motor connection.

This provides no protection for the starter motor.

Would it not make more sense to connect it in line with the cable coming directly from the battery. And then the other end of the fuse to the terminal on the starter.

This would provide protection to the starter motor as well.

Any thoughts,

Regards

Mark.
 
Thanks Tom,
I really appreciate your reply.
Saved a fuse and aggravation.
I did not realise that the starter would draw 100Amps.

You learn something every day.

Regards Mark.
 
If you compare the size of the wire going to the starter with the size of the wire the fuse holder comes with, that should tell you something. The fuse is only to protect the small wires from a short to ground, which would cause them to overheat and perhaps cause a fire.
 
On my show cars I run the yellow wire back through the terminal box and hook up an inline fuse holder. Then back to the terminal box and the correct terminal. That way I don't have to see a fuse hanging out the side of my starter motor. Original Model As didn't have fuses.
 
I had a fuse at the starter location. One night I had a short in my headlight. The fuse blew and disconnected the battery from the rest of the system. The generator set up its own circuit and kept the car running and the lights burning. Since the battery was disconnected, it no longer regulated the system to 6 volts. The generator is capable of much greater voltage. The voltage shot up, burned off the wire to the headlight, and toasted every bulb and component in the car (including the points and the generator itself). I saw the ammeter spike and the lights flicker, but till I pulled over and shut the car down, the damage had been done.

It was a rainy, miserable night and in 38,000 miles it was the only time my car was ever towed. If it were daylight, I could have gotten home by changing the points.

I don't run any fuse at all now. I think it is a better idea to have a manual battery disconnect for emergencies or when the car is stored. Or, you can also install a fuse between the generator and the light circuit (where most shorts happen, anyway).
 
BrianBurkert said:
I had a fuse at the starter location. One night I had a short in my headlight. The fuse blew and disconnected the battery from the rest of the system. The generator set up its own circuit and kept the car running and the lights burning. Since the battery was disconnected, it no longer regulated the system to 6 volts. The generator is capable of much greater voltage. The voltage shot up, burned off the wire to the headlight, and toasted every bulb and component in the car (including the points and the generator itself). I saw the ammeter spike and the lights flicker, but till I pulled over and shut the car down, the damage had been done...
Click to expand...
I had the exact same thing happen to me. Fortunately I was within walking distance of home. Got my wife to go back with me and tow it home. Further inspection also revealed that everything that could blow was blown!
 
I think Brian has the right idea. Most problems I've heard about are headlight related. The headlights contacts seem to have the most marginal designs of any electrical contact on the car. I think if we restore all wiring electrical contacts in the car, fuse the headlights, and install a battery disconnect we will have the best of it.
 
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