upgrade my fuse?

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Think of it like a resistor. The same amount of current will flow through but the additional resistance will cause a voltage drop.

 

[cshaw 10+ year member]

Think of it like a resistor. The same amount of current will flow through but the additional resistance will cause a voltage drop.

interesting, a smaller fuse results in no current loss but an overall voltage drop? i have a deep cycle batt, plus 2/3 of the big 3(only thing missing is alternator to battery wire.) and im steady around 14 volts.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

interesting, a smaller fuse results in no current loss but an overall voltage drop? i have a deep cycle batt, plus 2/3 of the big 3(only thing missing is alternator to battery wire.) and im steady around 14 volts.

Once current is there it has to flow through something. Think of it like water being ****** through a wide straw compared to a skinny straw. The same amount of water is going to go through but one way is easier than the other (less resistance).

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

There's no significant difference in voltage drop between a 100-amp fuse and a 300-amp fuse, given a current flow of 100 amps or less. Voltage drop is the product of resistance and current. Lower current won't cause much voltage loss, and higher current will cause the fuse to blow. You don't have to worry about losing voltage through fuses as long as they're not defective, and as long as there's no resistance or poor connections in the fuse holder.

 

[cshaw 10+ year member]

ok cool. i'll keep my 100 amp fuse for now. when i choose to upgrade to a bigger amp, i will upgrade to a bigger fuse like the 300 amp. sounds right?

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Once current is there it has to flow through something. Think of it like water being ****** through a wide straw compared to a skinny straw. The same amount of water is going to go through but one way is easier than the other (less resistance).

Although this is technically correct, for most practical purposes, you won't see any voltage drops by using too small a fuse.

If you are pulling maximum current through a fuse, then you could see voltage drops from increased resistance due to heat.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Although this is technically correct, for most practical purposes, you won't see any voltage drops by using too small a fuse.
If you are pulling maximum current through a fuse, then you could see voltage drops from increased resistance due to heat.

I'm very aware that it won't be a very signifcant drop. I was just trying to get the point across that there's more resistance with a smaller fuse.