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Old 04-04-2020, 10:41 AM   #1
zoegrant
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Default To fuse or not to fuse

I just installed an auxiliary horn button to work my original 36 horns. Works good but I read somewhere that this should be fused.
YES OR NO ???????
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Old 04-04-2020, 10:54 AM   #2
TJ
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

You can never go wrong with an in-line fuse.
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Old 04-04-2020, 12:16 PM   #3
19Fordy
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

Isn't that what a stock horn relay does?
Look here:
https://www.carid.com/1936-ford-12-t...ys-connectors/
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Old 04-04-2020, 12:24 PM   #4
deuce_roadster
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

If your button just goes to ground, probably don't need a fuse. If it is supplying power to the relay then yes. In general grounds shouldn't be fused.
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Old 04-04-2020, 12:48 PM   #5
richard crow
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

are you using a relay. if yes put a fuse on the lead going to batt term on relay
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Old 04-04-2020, 12:51 PM   #6
V8COOPMAN
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

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And remember that the purpose of fuses is to protect wiring...not the widget that the wire powers. DD
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Old 04-04-2020, 08:49 PM   #7
zoegrant
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

I looked at the 1936 electrical schematic and see no fuse or relay for the horn. I can put an inline fuse on the power side of the wire that is hooked to the neg side of the battery. What size fuse should I run on the 14 gage wire approx. 5 feet long ?
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Old 04-04-2020, 09:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

You might have to experiment. Keep putting higher rated ones in until they don't blow when you activate the horn. If you get to 20 amps, I would stop and look for other problems. Fuses are relatively cheap.
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Old 04-04-2020, 09:34 PM   #9
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

…...or, if ya start smelling smoke, just let go of the horn button already! DD
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Old 04-04-2020, 10:21 PM   #10
aussie merc
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

fuse or breaker it dosent matter which, but you need to protect the system remember the fuse always goes as close to the power supply [battery] as possible the smallest short unprotected could burn your vehicle to the ground. Sounds dramatic but it happens
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Old 04-05-2020, 08:18 AM   #11
zoegrant
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

Why did the original horn setup not need to be fused ?
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Old 04-05-2020, 10:06 AM   #12
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

All positive leads need to be fused. (Negative if it's positive ground). Even battery cables are fused on some newer cars.
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Old 04-05-2020, 10:37 AM   #13
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

Yeah, one of the places Henry Ford saved money was on fuses. I had a '36 coupe, and IIRC, it had ONE.
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Old 04-05-2020, 12:25 PM   #14
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

Quote:
Originally Posted by zoegrant View Post
Why did the original horn setup not need to be fused ?
I think were not fused simply because that was the practice back then. A fuse is not needed if everything is working properly. By today's standards that's considered malpractice; every circuit must be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker because things can and do go wrong.

I worry about my original car with only the lighting branch-circuit protected. I disconnect the battery cable if its not going to be driven for a couple days.
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Old 04-06-2020, 11:53 AM   #15
JSeery
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

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Originally Posted by zoegrant View Post
Why did the original horn setup not need to be fused ?
Ford only used a fuse on the lighting circuit on these early years.

Last edited by JSeery; 04-06-2020 at 01:22 PM.
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Old 04-07-2020, 10:06 PM   #16
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

as time progressed so did the expectations of motorists and hence electrical loads and requirements. Early cars with hand crank start acetylene lamps and magnetos so no wiring or battery . We progress and expect more for less i can remember having cars in the late 80s that still only had 2 factory fuses i ended up splitting circuits because 1 short would literally stop the whole motor vehicle Hence manufacturers also began splitting circuits till we get to todays times of 30 plus fuses in several banks .So if there is a problem in say the power windows the wipers will still work [byproduct makes fault finding a lot quicker as it isolates the fault not 1/2 the car ] also in efforts to save money manufactures are useing less wire so circuits can carry less current without damage. So in my opinon always fuse !!
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Old 04-08-2020, 01:20 AM   #17
JayChicago
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

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Originally Posted by aussie merc View Post
i can remember having cars in the late 80s that still only had 2 factory fuses
Wow! I think even my '64 VW had more fuses than that!
Which brings back fond memories of youth. That under-powered, useless heater/defroster, cramped little Beetle was one of the most fun cars I ever owned.
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Old 04-08-2020, 01:51 AM   #18
aussie merc
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

from memory your vw would of had 4 fuses and a generator with a 30amp max output these days it takes 30 amps plus just to run the engine [fuelpumps,injectors,ecu,sensors.] it all adds up add lights signals and that power hungry A/C and you still need some leftover to actually charge the battery so you wonder why 80+ amps is now common place
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Old 04-08-2020, 01:06 PM   #19
rotorwrench
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Default Re: To fuse or not to fuse

Fuses were seldom used on circuits that are considered to be intermittent. The starter circuit is intermittent and draws too many amps to use a fuse. Horns also draw a good bit of current and are generally only used for a short report. Folks that lay on their horns very often have never been very popular with their neighbors.

Ford liked to use a circuit breaker on the lights. If the circuit breaker opens then you know to look for a problem and fix it before it does any damage. If you fix the problem quickly then your lights will still function without carrying a fuse around.
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