Obviously there is a reason the fuses are blowing. $10 each for a mower motor fuse isn't bad, considering the cost of a new armature, which is probably PRICELESS. I found newer circuit breakers for the GE motors at Waytek, but they aren't the slow-blow type. Might take a look at what they have, but I think you will run into issues of trying to compare amperage at the working voltage. There is a general amperage-squared times T parameter that is used to compare most fuses.
I believe GE used the slow-blow fuses to eliminate issues with the startup surge, hence the 30A slow-blow for the lift motors. The GE deck motors for 36" decks with 18" blades use a 30A breaker. I think you could reasonably size a breaker based on that, as long as the motor ratings are similar.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Roden <etpost drmm net>
To: elec-trak <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Sun, Jul 20, 2014 3:55 am
Subject: Re: (ET) Fuses made of silver?
On 19 Nov 2013 at 13:30, David Roden wrote:
The Avco R36 blew a mower motor fuse this past weekend. Mouser wants
> $9.77 each plus shipping!
And yet another this past weekend. Mouser is now charging $10.05 each.
I'd like to replace these 40a slow-blow fuses with circuit breakers. I see
quite a few DC breakers on Ebay for 50% to 100% more than the MDL 40 fuse.
That looks like a pretty good deal.
The question is, what size breaker should I use?
Given the size of the wire connecting to the mower motors, I'm guessing that
GE oversized the fuses - and used slow-blow type - so they'd open on a
serious long-term overload, but not on a normal starting surge. I need to
choose a breaker that will act the same way. That might not necessarily be
a 40 amp breaker.
Ideas? Suggestions? All appreciated. Thanks.
David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
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