I seem to recall that some time ago the question was raised about poor quality, cheaply made blade fuses that were not performing as they should. ie blowing for no reason or not blowing when they should. I have found a box of mixed up blade fuses in my van and wondered if anyone knows how to tell the good ones from the bad. Or, if I chuck the lot away, where do I get some good ones??
Blade Fuses
- Thread starter Rodone
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
Rod, you are quite right, a while ago there was great concern about a load of cheap chinese blade fuses which melted and in at least one instance caused a fire.
Generally those bought from a reputable supplier, such as Maplins or Halfords are OK but the offerings from the likes of the Pound Shop and B&Q at
Generally those bought from a reputable supplier, such as Maplins or Halfords are OK but the offerings from the likes of the Pound Shop and B&Q at
Hello Damian, Thanks for your reply. I think that most of the ones that I got did come from Halfords. However, ( I may be wrong !) but I thought that it was mainly Halfords that got caught up in this, and had a sort of re call. As you say, for the cost involved, it is better to ditch the old one's and replace. I just want to be sure that I get pukka one's. I suppose Halford's should know the difference between good and bad - especially if it was them that got involved.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the fuses in question were from Halfords who issued a recall,I suggest you email them to check yours
Hello Plotter,
Yes, that is what I thought.I will drop them a quick line to see if theirs are OK now. No good asking about the suspect one's that I have here, as they are a mix of Halfords and others.
Yes, that is what I thought.I will drop them a quick line to see if theirs are OK now. No good asking about the suspect one's that I have here, as they are a mix of Halfords and others.
Damian
Moderator
Quote "the fuses in question were from Halfords who issued a recall,"
Which is why they are a good place to buy them now, having got rid of all the troublesome ones.
Which is why they are a good place to buy them now, having got rid of all the troublesome ones.
I phoned Halfords Customer Services, on the number shown on their web site related to the bad blade fuses, and the female who took the call said she knew nothing about the recall - nor whether todays fuses are OK or not. ( Like you I'm sure they must be)I tried to explain to her that it was all on their web site - but apparently she knew nothing about it ! I live in hope........
On almost the same subject, when I went to check the fuse values from the Swift Handbook, it gives only the car side of things, and, in relation to the van interior 12 volt electrics, tells you to" replace only with the specified value fuses ". In other words,copy whats in there now - and hope that it is correct! Or am I missing something...
On almost the same subject, when I went to check the fuse values from the Swift Handbook, it gives only the car side of things, and, in relation to the van interior 12 volt electrics, tells you to" replace only with the specified value fuses ". In other words,copy whats in there now - and hope that it is correct! Or am I missing something...
I bought some of these cheap fuses from screwfix, they appear to be exactly the same as those sold by halfords.
I dont declare them as safe, but i have checked them against some expensive german ones i have as spares, and find little between them.
Maybe the cheap ones have a slightly thinner gauge, or the plastic has a lower melting point?
But visually they look ok to me.
I have had one of these fuses in my pump circuit for six months, thats three weeks of use. And had no problem.
A faulty pump blow the original, and two others after it.
In my experience a poor conection or contact is usually the culprit of burning connections.Overloads make the problem worse.
These fuses and holders have never been a favourite of mine.
But i wouldnt shout dont use them.
I dont declare them as safe, but i have checked them against some expensive german ones i have as spares, and find little between them.
Maybe the cheap ones have a slightly thinner gauge, or the plastic has a lower melting point?
But visually they look ok to me.
I have had one of these fuses in my pump circuit for six months, thats three weeks of use. And had no problem.
A faulty pump blow the original, and two others after it.
In my experience a poor conection or contact is usually the culprit of burning connections.Overloads make the problem worse.
These fuses and holders have never been a favourite of mine.
But i wouldnt shout dont use them.
...they're more than likely ALL made in the same factory....
Someone got a dodgy batch, that's all.
Happens with everything.
Mac
Someone got a dodgy batch, that's all.
Happens with everything.
Mac
Hi - I was the person that found the problem with these fuses and informed Halfords.
Problem is that you really cannot tell good from bad. The only way I found was to put current across them and the plastic casing starts to melt at approx 3amps even if the fuse rating was 10/15/20/25 amps.
Best to throw the ones you have away and buy new ones. I found the German ones sold in my Caravan dealer where slightly thicker than the cheapo ones.
As Ray says Halfords would certainly have made sure that new batches were of much higher quality. Do not chance the old ones.
Hi - I was the person that found the problem with these fuses and informed Halfords.
Problem is that you really cannot tell good from bad. The only way I found was to put current across them and the plastic casing starts to melt at approx 3amps even if the fuse rating was 10/15/20/25 amps.
Best to throw the ones you have away and buy new ones. I found the German ones sold in my Caravan dealer where slightly thicker than the cheapo ones.
As Ray says Halfords would certainly have made sure that new batches were of much higher quality. Do not chance the old ones.
Problem is that you really cannot tell good from bad. The only way I found was to put current across them and the plastic casing starts to melt at approx 3amps even if the fuse rating was 10/15/20/25 amps.
Best to throw the ones you have away and buy new ones. I found the German ones sold in my Caravan dealer where slightly thicker than the cheapo ones.
As Ray says Halfords would certainly have made sure that new batches were of much higher quality. Do not chance the old ones.
I chucked all of the old one's away this morning, and have replaced with new ones from Halfords.
Rod one....... if you are ok with scrapyards and have one near, they are a good source for fuses.
I recently collected 50 assorted and paid
I recently collected 50 assorted and paid
Facebook
Twitter