10
Fuses:
Blade fuses come in three sizes: Mini,
Standard and Maxi. Fuse color determines
amperage ratings. A blown fuse indicates
an over-current condition has occurred.
Typically the conductor strip in the center
of the fuse is broken, but not always, and
is best verified by use of a 12 Volt DC test
light. Located atop the blade style fuse
housing are two exposed terminals. The
fuse is good if the test light illuminates
at both terminals. This may require
the circuit be activated for power to be
present at the fuse. The fuse is bad if the
test light illuminates at only one terminal.
Battery
How It Works
Batteries come in different sizes, types,
amp hours, voltages and chemistries. Although it is
not possible to cover batteries in their entirety, there
are maintanence guidelines that should be followed to
ensure the batteries provide reliable service.
The operation of the battery is based on a chemical
reaction. The battery is a container of lead plates,
insulators and a solution of distilled water and sulfuric
acid. The solution, when mixed together, is known as
“electrolyte.” The 12 Volt battery is actually six batteries
in one case. When charged, each cell has a voltage of
2.1 Volts. When six cells are hooked together this makes
a 12.6 Volt battery (fully charged). Electrons are stored
on the negative plates. When a load (e.g. a light bulb)
is put between the positive and negative terminals, the
electrons move from the negative plate to the positive
plate through the “load” and then back to the ground
terminal.
At this time the sulfuric acid leaves the water and
adheres onto the plates of the battery. The electrolyte solution keeps the electrons from flowing while the battery
is in the “at rest” position. Charging the battery moves the sulfuric acid back into solution with the distilled water.
A battery left in a low or discharged state will cause the acid to “sulfate.” In attempting to recharge the battery, the
acid has become hardened and no longer will leave the plates and enter into the liquid solution with the distilled
water. The lowered acid to water ratio has a direct affect on the battery’s ability to release the stored electrons
(power output) and the length of time it can perform (reserve capacity). Batteries left in a discharged condition
will readily freeze. This can crack the case and can also warp the plates. The acid acts like an “antifreeze” for the
battery. This is why batteries should not be left or stored in a discharged condition.
ATC Fuse
060086B
Exposed terminals.
060086c
Mini, Standard and Maxi fuse colors and amperage ratings
BLADe fUSe gUIDe
Mini
Standard
Maxi
Black
1
1
Gray
2
2
25
Violet
3
3
Pink
4
4
Tan
5
5
70
Brown
7.5
7.5
35
Red
10
10
50
Blue
15
15
60
Yellow
20
20
20
Clear
25
25
80
Green
30
30
30
Blue-Green
35
Orange
40
40
A. Manual Reset
Circuit Breaker
B. Auto Reset Circuit Breaker
C. Standard Fuse
D. Mini Fuse
E. Maxi Fuse
A
B
C
D
e
Quarter used for size comparison.
080528e
