Blade Fuse corrosion

[mlines]

We nearly got caught out in Studland Bay yesterday when the boat refused to start after a mooring up session.

Pushing the blade fuses into the holder sorted the problem.

However I remember 3 years ago when we got the boat I had to take the fuses out and clean the blades and re-seat them to get various electrical items working. Is there a specific cleaner/protection I should use. (its a typical car style blade fuse box behind the dash but not enclosed

Martin

[Ed]

Use silicon grease after they have been cleaned up. Blade fuses are convenient but totally unsuitable for a boat really. Found this out myself too!

[Capn Jack]

Me too, the materials used in car blade fuses succumb to sea air rapidly.

[Doc Oakley]

It's a common problem, this and as the Cap'n says, sea air is the culprit - I have found WD40 to be quite effective, but also sealing the fuse box, be it with a bespoke gasket or simply some electricaltape can help to keep the atmosphere out.

[salamis]

I do tend to spay WD40 into the blade fuse holder each season for this very reason as I too have succombed to this very problem. I refitted the bilge pump the other week and had to fit a new in line fuse. A trip round to Force4 chandlery and found a totaly enclosed water tight fuse holder for a blade type fuse which also got a blast of WD40. It is one of the most irritating parts of boat ownership fuses!

[Ed]

Battery terminal grease will work too. This is available in a spray can.

[mlines]

I took the fuses out to clean them up and found that one of the fuse holder positions has corroded to bits.

Is there any particularly recommended boat electrical suppliers?

Martin