Community Forums

rivrduk · 12-16-2011, 07:10 PM

Gonna replace all of my 12 volt fuses with the Smart Glow fuse. Anyone done this and if so, did it work out ok? Would be alot easier to find the blown one. Duk

exrench · 12-16-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivrduk

Gonna replace all of my 12 volt fuses with the Smart Glow fuse. Anyone done this and if so, did it work out ok? Would be alot easier to find the blown one. Duk

I just installed a cheap 12 volt test light at each of the the three locations where fuses are found on my MH. The Smart Glow device just introduces another level of complication to confound diagnosis.IMHO

wa8yxm · 12-16-2011, 07:44 PM

I can tell you it makes the blown fuse way easier to spot.

That said, on my HOUSE panel, which is where I usually blow them... I don't need Smart Glows.

Progressive Dynamics, being only slightly ahead of the curve, slapped a resistor and LED across every fuse. When the fuse goes POP the LED lights up.

I also have an aux 12 volt distribution panel with Anderson Power Pole connectors.. IT is a Rig Runner by West Mountain Radio.. Same plan there. LED/Resistor across every fuse.

KIX · 12-16-2011, 08:18 PM

Do you guys really blow fuses THAT often to go to the expense of Smart Glow or LED/resistor fuses?

Dave78Chief · 12-17-2011, 07:33 AM

While it does not solve the easy LED ID light feature, you could replace them with manual CB's that mean you no longer have to buy/carry fuses.
Low Profile ATC®/ATO® Manual Reset Circuit Breakers

Not sure of availability though. I grab some off of e-bay a year ago. Only down side is they are taller than a standard fuse so can create panel cover issues.

Dave

dons2346 · 12-17-2011, 11:02 AM

One of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BXMSMI/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lp o-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000NPZ4TO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX 0DER&pf_rd_r=09GKCZ8P06K1MQZ9R870
is a lot cheaper that replacing all the fuses. You can get one in a kit with a bunch of fuses for 20 bux.

You guys blow that many fuses? In 10 years I have only blown 2 and that was my own fault.

wa8yxm · 12-18-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIX

Do you guys really blow fuses THAT often to go to the expense of Smart Glow or LED/resistor fuses?

Kix that is the problem If I blew fuses THAT OFTEN then I'd know "3rd fuse from the left".

But if you blow one say every 2 years, and not the same fuse.. YES, you need an indicator of which fuse it is.

Progressive Dynamics knows this, thus they put the LED and Resistor on the board so if the fuse goes pop the LED lights up.. Likewise West Mountain Radio.. I much prefer this to the more expensive Smart-Glo fuses cause.. Well, I need to replace the fuse, not the LED. and smart glow's need a special dual LED too since they don't know which lead is Positive.

In the old days of glass cartridge fuses you could tell which one went POP without removing it from the socket, but these new fangled jobs..... Well they don't work like that.

rivrduk · 12-19-2011, 02:15 PM

Are you telling me that instead of replacing the blown fuse with a smart glow one i will need something else to tell me which one is blown? Can i not just remove the old one and put the new smart fuse in its place? Duk

Dave78Chief · 12-19-2011, 02:34 PM

LOL no - He is just saying PD designed their newer panels with a LED that lights up if a fuse blows. I have used the smart-glow fuses also. Just replace existing fuse with smart glow one. If it blows it will light up. When you have 30 year old equipment, things like clearance light shorts from water, rusted tail light bulbs, etc. happen.

Dave

wa8yxm · 12-19-2011, 05:35 PM

You got it Dave. I'm just singing the praises of a company's design team who I happen to think are worthy of praise.

The fact that PDI is a Michigan firm and my income comes from the State of Michigan... Well, that's a bonus (For me) but I'm really singing the praises of a good design.

But then the odds that I know one or two of the folks on that design team are high.. I won't go into details but my log in ID has to do with it.

Dave78Chief · 12-19-2011, 06:05 PM

I hear ya. Now if PD would just make a RV converter that the voltage set points could be adjusted a bit. Could make life a little more productive for the boondockers. I know their Marine converters have the options but the multiple battery bank is abit of overkill.

Dave

wa8yxm · 12-20-2011, 08:28 AM

I too agree it would be nice if there was a range of charge wizards, or one with a dial on the back:

Flooded wet cell:
Mainenance Free
AGM
and so on.