Downrigger fuse size

[beckoning]

What size fuses for my 2 BigJon electric and 2 old Walker electric downriggers? I no longer have the instruction manuals. Both companies are out of business. Elsewhere, I read 20-30amp. That seems very large. OPINIONS from your experience, please.

 

[mike_i]

Can you determine the gauge of the wire?

 

[Horigan]

Downriggers pull a lot of load. My Scotty's have 10AWG wire, but I run 40A fuses to prevent the periodic fuse blow with a heavy pot. My fuses are in the engine bay and hard to get to quickly, especially when the spot prawns are swimming out of your stationary pot while you change the fuse.

 

[beckoning]

Mike, the original wires are 14-16 gauge, maybe 12 at best. My weights are 9-10lb, but I have pulled up a ton of weeds, so that may be in the 20lb range, but on rare occasion.

Horigan's reply is helpful. 20-30amp seemed over the top, but if others use 20+, I will too. I just don't want to put through more juice to the rigger than it's designed for.

 

[Ifishmuskie2]

Big Jon uses different sizes breakers for the different models. The smaller motors come with an 8amp.
I had one that kept popping the breaker. I put a new 10amp in it and now it doesn’t pop.
I don’t use fuses on big Jon Downriggers.

 

[mike_i]

I would confirm the wire size then look at a ampacity chart to get the max current capacity for the cable/length then fuse accordingly. The fuse is to prevent the wire from melting.

 

[dingbat]

I just don't want to put through more juice to the rigger than it's designed for.

You're only supplying the potential for X amps. The machine determines the actual demand.

As noted above, you fuse the wiring, not the device

 

[Horigan]

Downriggers pull a lot of load. My Scotty's have 10AWG wire, but I run 40A fuses to prevent the periodic fuse blow with a heavy pot. My fuses are in the engine bay and hard to get to quickly, especially when the spot prawns are swimming out of your stationary pot while you change the fuse.

I should have mentioned the high current applications are with a pot puller, not a downrigger. Sorry for that.