Another mystery, fusable link in ground/negative wire.

[symplesymonsezzz]

Any ideas as to why my negative battery cable would have a wire from it and grounded to the firewall. From my negative post attached to the battery I have a small ground wire with a inline fuse,It is a buzz fuse rating 20a 32v, 310 3ag. Why the fuse? The battery cable is grounded to the chassis. Any ideas? Thanks

[franken]

Someone put a fuse there.
The large cable should connect to the engine. It provides the return path for current running the starter.

[luvbowties]

Art Linkletter had a saying that almost answers your question: "Kids say the darndest things". Just substitute "do" for "say".
Sam

[symplesymonsezzz]

Franken. Yes somone put it there, the ? is why. Could it be serving a purpose or just taking up space. Often times, things are done for a reason. I'm looking for that reason as to why its there. Thanks

[symplesymonsezzz]

Sam I have heard of Art Linkletter and the saying but dont see how it fits into the ? If your saying just remove it, I could do that. I am looking for a reason as to why it is there or is it needed. I am bad when it comes to wiring. Thanks

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by symplesymonsezzz

Sam I have heard of Art Linkletter and the saying but dont see how it fits into the ? If your saying just remove it, I could do that. I am looking for a reason as to why it is there or is it needed. I am bad when it comes to wiring. Thanks

OK, sorry. Didn't mean to sound demeaning. Yes, just remove the link. Whoever put it there could've been thinking he was merely adding a good ground. It is merely wire all the distance, just the link is a smaller gauge along the fusible link portion. You never can have too many grounds on these old trucks, but he prolly knew very little about elec. It would've been good had he removed the link & fastened the bigger wire to the sheet metal. *BTW: It won't hurt a thing to leave it as is--prolly won't do much good, tho'.

Just thought of another reason he did it. Sounds like the link, itself being for 24 volts, may be big enough to do some good and had a nice end already on it to screw to the sheet metal. He may have known a bit more than I gave him credit for! Still sounds like it may not be pretty, so I'd personally remove it, or cut off the link-portion & screw bigger wire straight to sheet metal.
HTH.
Sam

[symplesymonsezzz]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

OK, sorry. Didn't mean to sound demeaning. Yes, just remove the link. Whoever put it there could've been thinking he was merely adding a good ground. It is merely wire all the distance, just the link is a smaller gauge along the fusible link portion. You never can have too many grounds on these old trucks, but he prolly knew very little about elec. It would've been good had he removed the link & fastened the bigger wire to the sheet metal. *BTW: It won't hurt a thing to leave it as is--prolly won't do much good, tho'.

Just thought of another reason he did it. Sounds like the link, itself being for 24 volts, may be big enough to do some good and had a nice end already on it to screw to the sheet metal. He may have known a bit more than I gave him credit for! Still sounds like it may not be pretty, so I'd personally remove it, or cut off the link-portion & screw bigger wire straight to sheet metal.
HTH.
Sam

Sam, your last responce is appreciated and I will remove the link as there is enough wire to ground to the firewall. I mentioned that wiring is not my thing and gives me lots of trouble, using the computer also gives me trouble. This website is here for us and others to help each other and Im glad to have found it. Once again thank you.