2 fusible links (in parallel) ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Luvlegs · 10-26-2005, 02:15 PM

Hey all, here's my Situation #2

Off the "+" terminal on the battery, is a 14 guage wire that goes to a (pass. side) fender mounted composite "terminal" (?). It has a single stud with a nut. From there, 2 (two) blue wires labeled "fusible link" - IN PARALLEL (not series), got to a heavy guage red wire that comes out of the harness near the pass. side front (by the battery). I've not seen "wire" shaped links but if so, wouldn't 2 in parallel kind of defeat the purpose (until the second one blew)?

Question: Any ideas what the red wire supplies and is a fusible link the only protection in that circuit?

Adittionally, I have just installed a couple of relays for the high and low beams... all work fantastic BUT the next morning, the battery was DOA..... and thoughts?

jhow66 · 10-26-2005, 03:03 PM

What size are the links? Red wire supplies everything on truck.This link protects the red wire into the fuse panel. How did you supply current for the relays?

Luvlegs · 10-26-2005, 03:31 PM

oooohhh boy - I took that small wire off the battery and ran to the two relays and into the truck (removed the wires labeled "fusible link" - they didn't make sense running in parallel). I actuated the relays with the original power to the headlights (from the switch after the dimmer - saving the load on the old switchs). So the links were really links huh? I'll be damned! Guess I'll put one back in line. Funny thing - after making the changes, a PO installed digital clock started to work even though it was powered off the hot side of the fuse block and hadn't work previously......

Fred T · 10-26-2005, 04:18 PM

Fusible link was 12 gauge as built. If the wire gauge to the fuse block is increased, the link can be upped to 10 ga. Everything but the starter power goes thru it. Two of them in parallel isn't good practice, but would work. If everything works right, you would have double the capacity of just one.

Luvlegs · 10-26-2005, 04:48 PM

I'll add the links back in - I wonder if the two were together to handle the amperage going to the rest of the truck....???? (makes sense I guess) What reason would there be for the little "composite" like terminal mounted on the inside of the fender ? - it just looks like a spot for something to hit a "hot" terminal and cause an arc. and just pulling out the links shouldn't cause the battery drain and the clock to start working..... weird!

10-26-2005, 02:15 PM	#1
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	2 fusible links (in parallel) ??? Hey all, here's my Situation #2 Off the "+" terminal on the battery, is a 14 guage wire that goes to a (pass. side) fender mounted composite "terminal" (?). It has a single stud with a nut. From there, 2 (two) blue wires labeled "fusible link" - IN PARALLEL (not series), got to a heavy guage red wire that comes out of the harness near the pass. side front (by the battery). I've not seen "wire" shaped links but if so, wouldn't 2 in parallel kind of defeat the purpose (until the second one blew)? Question: Any ideas what the red wire supplies and is a fusible link the only protection in that circuit? Adittionally, I have just installed a couple of relays for the high and low beams... all work fantastic BUT the next morning, the battery was DOA..... and thoughts? __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

10-26-2005, 03:31 PM	#3
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: 2 fusible links (in parallel) ??? oooohhh boy - I took that small wire off the battery and ran to the two relays and into the truck (removed the wires labeled "fusible link" - they didn't make sense running in parallel). I actuated the relays with the original power to the headlights (from the switch after the dimmer - saving the load on the old switchs). So the links were really links huh? I'll be damned! Guess I'll put one back in line. Funny thing - after making the changes, a PO installed digital clock started to work even though it was powered off the hot side of the fuse block and hadn't work previously...... __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew! Last edited by Luvlegs; 10-26-2005 at 03:32 PM.

10-26-2005, 04:18 PM	#4
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: 2 fusible links (in parallel) ??? Fusible link was 12 gauge as built. If the wire gauge to the fuse block is increased, the link can be upped to 10 ga. Everything but the starter power goes thru it. Two of them in parallel isn't good practice, but would work. If everything works right, you would have double the capacity of just one. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

10-26-2005, 04:48 PM	#5
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: 2 fusible links (in parallel) ??? I'll add the links back in - I wonder if the two were together to handle the amperage going to the rest of the truck....???? (makes sense I guess) What reason would there be for the little "composite" like terminal mounted on the inside of the fender ? - it just looks like a spot for something to hit a "hot" terminal and cause an arc. and just pulling out the links shouldn't cause the battery drain and the clock to start working..... weird! __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

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10-26-2005, 03:03 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: 2 fusible links (in parallel) ??? What size are the links? Red wire supplies everything on truck.This link protects the red wire into the fuse panel. How did you supply current for the relays? __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer



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