Fuses
2011-11-26 15:50:52.07779+00 by
meuon
4 comments
Electrical fuses are something I am very familiar with, especially in larger electrical/electronic devices. The genset on our house failed to start -after- it had been jump-started from a car battery and ran for a while. I figured a fuse blew or something else stupid broke. We bought a new battery for it yesterday,
and I have spent 3 hours, used 4 different types of "tamper resistent" screw bits (over 30 screws total), 3 different sized sockets... and vice grips, to get the control box out, and find the 3/4 amp fuse in the control box "open". I'm not sure that is all that is wrong, yet. But I am fuming over the poor design choices. I'll be modifying the design when I reassemble it with an externally accessible fuse holder.
Luckily, it's a nice day to be tinkering.
But please, as "you" design things that have protection devices (fuses, etc),
please remember to make them accessible.
[ related topics:
Invention and Design Automobiles Graphic Design Fabrication Real Estate hubris
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comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2011-11-26 19:32:38.644175+00 by:
meuon
Update: It was just the fuse. But now there is an easy to replace fuse in an accessible fuseholder.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-11-27 14:55:23.248272+00 by:
ebradway
It sounds like a job security measure to me...
"My genset isn't working. Can you send someone out?"
"That sure took a lot of fancy tools to fix it. What was wrong?"
"The control module protection linkage."
"Ooooh.... Sounds complicated. Thank you. Here's your check for $1200."
#Comment Re: made: 2011-11-27 15:38:33.946324+00 by:
meuon
Agreed, that is exactly what it is. An RCO: Revenue Creation Opportunity.
Too much of our current choices in life have RCO's engineered into the business model of the provider. And yes, I'm guilty of the same.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-11-28 16:19:13.926805+00 by:
other_todd
Next time I have to deal with a fuse or breaker, I am definitely going to refer to it as a "control module protection linkage."