Part Identification

[Paddy]

Need to clean up the wiring cabinet. Going to replace / upgrade the fuse block but I also have 3 of these in a row, one appears to be shot, 12V on one side, nothing on the other. What are they and can i replace all 3 with a more modern setup?

Thanks

[catalina_mike]

Those are circuit breakers. They trip and reset... for a while. If I were to bet I think bilge pumps if you don't find any fuses for them. Typically a 5a fuse is sufficient.

[Paddy]

Thanks Mike. I do have 3 pumps and one is dead, and of these 3 breakers, one is not showing voltage passing through to the second pole. I am hoping to get the proper amperage off the sides but they are pretty rusty. Scanning online, I found 15a breakers from Sea Dog and a 10a off-brand. I do have the standard fuses on the dash for the pumps but I assume the breakers are in place because they are wired directly to the batteries for automatic operation? The gauge of the wire is throwing me off, they are much larger than any other wiring in the panel. Is it common to go from a larger gauge to smaller for a bilge pump run?

[catalina_mike]

Not sure what they did but bigger is better for wiring. Depending on what pumps you have the 10a should be fine. My 99 had a diaphragm pump and 10a would be too small for it. The breakers should be fed from the constant hot under the dash. That way when your battery switch is off in your absence they will work still.