How big of a wire do I need for a fusible link?
A 50-amp amplifier mounted in the trunk 15 feet from the battery would need a 4-gauge wire, which is good for 70 amps at 16 feet. For the fusible link, add 10 to 15 percent to the accessory draw. In this case, you’d need a link rated at 55 amps, primarily because you’ll have a hard time finding one rated at 57.5.
What causes the fusible link to blow on a car?
How much depends on the wire’s resistance, which correlates to its size. A fusible link is a “narrow spot” in your wire, a portion of higher resistance that will overheat, melt and break before the rest of your wiring does. Wiring has a certain amount of resistance — rated in ohms — per foot.
When did the fusible link first come out?
You’ve got to love the old-school fusible link. A study in simplicity that even a child could understand, the fusible link dates back to a simpler time before cars used junction boxes or complex computer controls.
How is a fusible link like a weak link?
While fusible links can be a bit of a pain if you don’t remember where they all are, they do make diagnosis a lot simpler once you locate them. A fusible link is essentially a fuse set directly in line with the wiring and works as much like a literal weak link in the chain as you can imagine.
Can a fusible link replace a positive terminal?
The positive terminal on my Armada was badly corroded and was giving me issues with starting, so I replaced it along with the fusible link. It was a direct replacement, fit perfectly and was straightforward to install. No issues since switching them out!
Why is my Nissan fusible link so corroded?
I finally replaced my battery and corroded terminal and linkage. This fixed the problem immediately. The biggest culprit was the positive terminal link. It was so corroded that even a new battery couldn’t make a good connection. These work great, it’s easy to do yourself with a socket wrench, and it’ll save you some $.
How does the fusible link work in a car?
A fusible link is essentially a fuse set directly in line with the wiring and works as much like a literal weak link in the chain as you can imagine. Electricity never passes through anything but a superconductor with a zero loss of energy; some of it’s always going to turn into heat.
A 50-amp amplifier mounted in the trunk 15 feet from the battery would need a 4-gauge wire, which is good for 70 amps at 16 feet. For the fusible link, add 10 to 15 percent to the accessory draw. In this case, you’d need a link rated at 55 amps, primarily because you’ll have a hard time finding one rated at 57.5.