Re: (ET) Control panel fuses: What does the Elec-trak *REALLY* need

[David Brandt <ev_dave13 yahoo com>]

When I wired my E15 I set up a separate controls bus with a 5A fuse.  It 
runs all the contactors and relays, as well as the KSI signal input on the 
curtis controller.


David Brandt


--- On Fri, 9/10/10, Chris Zach <cz alembic crystel com> wrote:

> From: Chris Zach <cz alembic crystel com>
> Subject: (ET) Control panel fuses: What does the Elec-trak *REALLY* need
> To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Date: Friday, September 10, 2010, 8:28 PM
> I've been thinking a bit about fuses
> as I look at the cremated remains of one of my E15
> controller cards. Several of the PCB traces are burned,
> there are jumper wires soldered in, it's a sad mess.
> 
> And I was thinking: There is no way in hell that these
> components, edge connectors, and the like can withstand a
> 20a 36 volt current limit. However the controller fuse is (I
> think) supposed to be 20a.
> 
> I wonder if GE was out of their minds. This annoys me a
> bit: The purpose of a fuse is to protect a circuit and as
> such it should be rated so that it blows before the current
> capacity of any downstream components have been reached.
> 
> This also blew up Card 4's on my E20 when the diodes short.
> The difference is a blown fuse and a quick-to-replace part
> and a blown edge connector and carbonized components.
> 
> So what *should* the control fuse on an E20 be? 5a? 8a?
> Anyone ever measured how much current is drawn with all
> relays closed?
> 
> Chris
> 
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