[BC] Hot and grounded chassis

[Chuck Lakaytis]

Here is a hint about Ford F 150 pickup trucks of nineties vintage.  The plug
coming out of the generator tends to have the pins lose their temper and
develop bad connections.  If you have an alternator replaced it will come
with a new plug.  Many lazy mechanics do not cut off the old plug and crimp
in the new one.  The result is eventually a nice fire in the engine
compartment.  It happened to me in front of the Barrow High School two years
ago.  Lots of excitement.

Chuck Lakaytis
CML Broadcast
Anchorage, AK 


-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Paul Smith W4KNX
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 6:48 AM
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: RE: [BC] Hot and grounded chassis

You should always use a fusable link anytime you connect anything directly
to the battery.  Dont neccessarily need a fuse holder and fuse.  A fuse link
will work just fine.

Paul Smith
Sarasota, FL

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net]On Behalf Of Rich Wood
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 8:34 AM
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [BC] Hot and grounded chassis


------ At 01:31 AM 8/11/2006, Glen Kippel wrote: -------

>This is mentioned in the "The Doctor is IN" column in the August 2006 issue
>of QST.  Yes, it is advisable to fuse the positive lead right at the
battery
>so that a short to ground between the battery and the rig won't set fire to
>the car, garage, house, etc.

I haven't installed my transceiver in my new car, yet, but I've
always read and been advised to fuse the line directly at the
battery. The current is so high you'd never have time to get a fire
extinguisher or disconnect a powered up line before the insulation
has caught fire. It interesting to watch a cable melt in seconds.

You'll also notice that most transceivers fuse both sides of the
line. The antenna becomes a power conductor if the real one fails.

Rich

Rich Wood
Rich Wood Multimedia
Phone: 413-454-3258

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