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Author Topic:   Cigarette Lighter Fuse

walf posted 07-23-2007 07:18 AM ET (US)
What size fuse is on the cigarette lighter outlet of my 170 Montauk? When using this [circuit] to inflate a big tube for my kids, it keeps on tripping the circuit. The inflator brochure suggests using a 20 amp fuse. Could I replace the fuse with a 20 amp fuse and how would I do this.
jimh posted 07-23-2007 08:14 AM ET (US)
You can obtain the electrical diagram of your Boston Whaler boat from on-line documents available at WHALER.COM. Download the electrical wiring diagram and study it to learn the distribution of the battery and the size of fuses or circuit breakers which protect branch circuits.
A branch circuit is protected by a fuse which should be appropriate for the current carrying capacity of the wire used in the branch circuit. If you increase the current rating of the fuse you will not increase the current carrying capacity of the wire.
HAPPYJIM posted 07-23-2007 08:27 AM ET (US)
You need to install a separate circuit(larger wire, new 20 Amp rated lighter outlet and 20 amp slow-blow fuse) for the inflator.
If you just increase the fuse size for the existing outlet, you will over heat the wire and it may melt the insulation.
jimh posted 07-23-2007 01:33 PM ET (US)
The owner's manual for your Boston Whaler 170 MONTAUK contains the information you are seeking about the details of its electrical system on page 17.
GreatBayNH posted 07-23-2007 04:18 PM ET (US)
Similar user experience.
I used the portable inflater for my kid's tube using the "cigarette lighter" on my 2006 Montauk 170 and didn't have an issue thus far.
My 2 cents.
-seth
sternorama posted 08-01-2007 12:31 AM ET (US)
i see what jimh is saying... if you believe what the inflator paperwork says about the 20 amp fuse, you will be asking the wiring in your boat to carry 20 amps!

You might not like this suggestion, but (besides carrying a fire extinguisher) how about try another inflator? I bought the cheapo one ( the guy in the store let me try a few out using my car lighter socket and it worked the best) and it doesn't need a 20 amp fuse to run. Good Luck.

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Author	Topic: Cigarette Lighter Fuse
walf	posted 07-23-2007 07:18 AM ET (US) What size fuse is on the cigarette lighter outlet of my 170 Montauk? When using this [circuit] to inflate a big tube for my kids, it keeps on tripping the circuit. The inflator brochure suggests using a 20 amp fuse. Could I replace the fuse with a 20 amp fuse and how would I do this.
jimh	posted 07-23-2007 08:14 AM ET (US) You can obtain the electrical diagram of your Boston Whaler boat from on-line documents available at WHALER.COM. Download the electrical wiring diagram and study it to learn the distribution of the battery and the size of fuses or circuit breakers which protect branch circuits. A branch circuit is protected by a fuse which should be appropriate for the current carrying capacity of the wire used in the branch circuit. If you increase the current rating of the fuse you will not increase the current carrying capacity of the wire.
HAPPYJIM	posted 07-23-2007 08:27 AM ET (US) You need to install a separate circuit(larger wire, new 20 Amp rated lighter outlet and 20 amp slow-blow fuse) for the inflator. If you just increase the fuse size for the existing outlet, you will over heat the wire and it may melt the insulation.
jimh	posted 07-23-2007 01:33 PM ET (US) The owner's manual for your Boston Whaler 170 MONTAUK contains the information you are seeking about the details of its electrical system on page 17.
GreatBayNH	posted 07-23-2007 04:18 PM ET (US) Similar user experience. I used the portable inflater for my kid's tube using the "cigarette lighter" on my 2006 Montauk 170 and didn't have an issue thus far. My 2 cents. -seth
sternorama	posted 08-01-2007 12:31 AM ET (US) i see what jimh is saying... if you believe what the inflator paperwork says about the 20 amp fuse, you will be asking the wiring in your boat to carry 20 amps! You might not like this suggestion, but (besides carrying a fire extinguisher) how about try another inflator? I bought the cheapo one ( the guy in the store let me try a few out using my car lighter socket and it worked the best) and it doesn't need a 20 amp fuse to run. Good Luck.