Mercruiser starter / trim fuse assembly, source for fusible link?

[fishrdan]

I found a popped 110amp(?) fuse assembly for the starter on my Mercruiser (used to be an 01 3.0L, now 140HP) and was wondering if there is any source to get just the fusible link inside the fuse assembly, without having to shell out $25 for the whole assembly. I can't imagine that fusible link costing more than $5, if it can be found...

BTW, I don't know what popped the fusible link, probably the guys who stole and thrashed the boat as it was popped when I tried to start the engine. To get everything going I crimped a #12 ring terminal onto a #20 ring terminal and used that as the fusible link inside the fuse assembly (pretty thin) instead of bypassing the fuse. I need to replace that hokie/pokie fusible link I made, but would rather not drop $25-30,,, for a fuse

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Mercruiser starter / trim fuse assembly, source for fusible link?

This leaves me speechless...almost.

Personally, I would have no qualms spending the $25 for the correct OEM part for my Mercruiser....especially for one of the most important electrical items on my engine, the voltage protection for my starter. Any jury-rigged repair would be ultra unwise....

Just my opinion...probably only worth $0.02 American!

Happy boating!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser starter / trim fuse assembly, source for fusible link?

Any jury-rigged repair would be ultra unwise....

Ayuh,... I Totally disagree,+ believe the exact Opposite....

Those fancy smancy Lawyer fuses have only been used in the last 10 years or so,...
For the 1st 80 or so years, the battery was hard wired direct to the starter lug....
The Fuse only protects the Wiring, Not the appliance....

It's only virture is if you happened to get your hand, with a Metal watchband, or ring, or bracelet, or wrench, or whatever happens to short out between the Starter Lug,+ ground....
You won't get burnt to badly.... That's It.... Nothing more....
More Liberal Lawyers protecting you, from Yourself....

I personally take those things Off,+ Deep 6 'em....
It's yet another point that allows Corrosion to get started...
Another Connection in the hard wiring harness....

Btw,.... For Legal reasons I would Never advise anybodyelse to Toss 'em, as I don't want to be harassed by a bunch of Lawyers....
And,... 1 last thing,... Never stand on the top rung of a Stepladder....

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mercruiser starter / trim fuse assembly, source for fusible link?

I am getting rid of the hokie/pokie home grown fusible link I made. I only put it in there to get the cam broken in and provide some protection in case something wasn't right. The thin ring terminal shank would fry if there were a "100 amp" wiring problem, but I'm not running the boat like that.

But seriously,,, $25 for a fuse assembly, when the $5 fusible link is the only thing burned That's kind of like throwing away the boat because the engine is blown. Only reason I can see for them not selling the separate fusible link is the assembly HAS TO BE put back together the right way or the fusible link won't work, well that and money.

I personally take those things Off,+ Deep 6 'em....
It's yet another point that allows Corrosion to get started...
Another Connection in the hard wiring harness....

Correct, my old 140HP didn't have that fuse assembly and worked fine for 35 years, all the engine wiring was tied directly to the starter's battery lug. I'm using the wiring harness off a 01 3.0L and kept the fuse assembly,,, because it was there. When I was wiring the engine I wondered what the heck that thing was (don't you think they should mark it "FUSE") and only discovered it was a fuse when nothing worked. Kind of a weird design as you can't see it's blown, have to meter it out...

When I found the fuse popped I wanted to have some sort of fuse protection in case something in the harness was bad (I have never used this harness before), but was considering just jumpering it since the old harness wasn't fuse protected.

I guess it is what it is, and I bought one for $20 so I can get rolling on the project. I figure, since I'll have my family with me I better make this boat as safe as possible. I'm actually wishing I would have replaced it with a breaker or fuse holder with a replaceable (and visible) fuse.

I'd still like to find a replacement fusible link, something to throw in the boat's tool box. I doubt I'll spent another $20 for a fuse assembly to throw in the boat's tool kit.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Mercruiser starter / trim fuse assembly, source for fusible link?

I'm with Bond-O on this one. They survived many years without it and thrived. That said, anyone unwilling to spend a mere $25 on their boat should take up basket weaving instead. 'nutcase

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mercruiser starter / trim fuse assembly, source for fusible link?

It's not being cheap, it's being frugal. I've spent that $25 a 100 times over on this project so far,,, and if I wasn't watching the budget and looking for inexpensive (not cheap) parts that would have ended up being $25 200 times over.

I bit the bullet and bought the thing, but you do have to admit that $25-30 for that fuse assembly is a bit ridiculous, if it were a plain auto part it would be $5. Since it's marine you have to triple the price to $15, and it being a safety item the cost is doubled again to $30 so the lawyers are coveered....