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Re: Finding electrical items

Subject: Re: Finding electrical items
From: John Wigney <johnwigney@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 09:46:52
John,

Could you advise a source for AMP's Mate-N-Lock connectors, catalog/
mail order or otherwise ? Thanks for your help.

Cheers, 
John Wigney, A099
Mooresville NC

JohnJMoran@aol.com wrote:
> 
> The AeroElectric Connection has an interesting idea for high current fuses on
> their web site at  aeroelectric.com.  The area to see is appendix Z, page Z-2.
> 
> Their concept is that a 4 inch length of wire, at least 4 wire sizes smaller
> than the wire being protected, will work as a fusible link by heating and
> opening before the protected wire is damaged. Damage is limited to melting of
> the insulation on the fusible link plus heating of anything touching it, so
> try to isolate the link and/or insulate it with a fiberglass sleeve. Fusible
> links may be purchased at auto parts stores or made from pieces of tefzel wire
> using crimp terminals. Fusible links are apparently used in cars to protect
> certain areas of wiring from screwdrivers dropped into the works.
> 
> In my installation I wanted the breakers in the panel but this left the wires
> between the master relay and the breakers (including the panel connectors)
> unprotected. I added a fusible link to protect these wires, unlikely as a
> failure here is.  Of course, since the link is about 25A and the panel
> connectors are rated at 15A per pin, a connector meltdown is still possible if
> a short occurs in the panel....
> 
> Another fusible link was added between the alternator's regulator and the
> capacitor.  These links replace the high current fuses called for in Europa's
> diagram.  I added fusible links on the wires controlling the master and
> starter relays for the same reason.  All fusible links are on the engine side
> of the firewall (to avoid smoke in the cockpit) and are positioned to be
> easily accessed.
> 
> For those who are using AMP's Mate-N-Lock connectors for the panel, the pin
> extraction tool is relatively expensive at $14 -- so naturally I didn't order
> one since I assumed that I could insert the pins in the proper positions
> flawlessly.  Naturally, old fumble fingers managed to get one in the wrong
> place early on.  A usable extraction tool can be made by drilling out an inch
> or so of a 3 inch length of 1/8 inch brass tube (available at hobby shops) so
> that it will slide over the pin - cost is less than $1.
> 
> John    A044             Newtown, CT


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