Convert to ATC/ATO fuses?

I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around converting my KZ1100 Spectre from AGX barrel-type fuses to the newer blade-type. I bought basically this: www.delcity.net/store/search/p_793543.h_793544.t_1.n_y.jsp but I'm not sure it's what I want to do. This way it looks like I would hook the positive lead directly from the battery to the one post on the fuse panel, then the other circuits would feed off that. Wouldn't that make everything hot all the time? Wouldn't it be easier to get 5 in-line fuse holders like this: www.delcity.net/store/Weatherproof-Fuse-Holder/p_800399

I haven't started doing anything yet, somebody tell me it would be a bad idea to futz with stuff before I go cutting wires!

The reason I want to switch to blades is because my 30A main fuse keeps overheating and stranding me until it cools down. Not to mention weatherproof blades seem less troublesome and less likely to blow from vibration or heat.

Thanks!
Jason

Here's something I made up a few years ago:

Fuse And Fuse Holder Designations

1. The older Kawasaki’s use a glass tubed fuse with the designation of AGX 1” long. Most good auto parts stores can get them for you. They are ¼” in diameter.

2. The more common AGC is 1 ¼” long and may not fit the smaller fuse clips. Again, ¼” in diameter.

3. To clean and polish the fuse clips, I use a cotton swab(Q- Tip) and some Brasso metal cleaner or Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. I suppose any good metal polish would work.

4. These fuses can fail internally but look good, only by using a multimeter to check for voltage going through the fuse, or when the fuse is removed for physical inspection for tight end caps & continuity checks,can it be determined if it’s serviceable.

5. Most modern motorcycles are now using the automobile “Blade” style fuse with the designation of ATC or ATO.

6. The reduced sized “Mini” Blade style fuse holder uses the ATM size of fuses.

7. If the fuse and fuse holder overheat, it could soften or anneal the grip of the clip, it might require squeezing the clip to restore the tightness.



8. A list of where to purchase “Blade” style fuses and holders:

www.waytekwire.com order.waytekwire.com/productdetail2/M50/...20%20%20%208%20FUSE/

www.rallylights.com www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=765

www.delcity.net/store/6!way-fuse-blocks/p_10822.a_1

www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Product...ers/fuseholders.html

www.autowiringsolutions.com/item.php?item_id=251&category_id=89 (ATO/ATC Fuse Holder)


9. A source for the glass tubed AGX fuses:
www.boatownerswarehouse.com/browse.cfm/2,4986.html

www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Result.aspx?N...&D=AGX&Dk=1&Dp=3&N=0


You're going to need wire insulation strippers,terminal end crimpers, a place to mount the new fuse holder(s), and posible splices to extend the wiring to the new fuse block(s).

Here's some video's on tools,wire splices & using a multimeter:


Aircraft Electrical Tools, Basic Overview 001)



(Heatshrink Terminal Installation)



(Heatshrink Terminals And Connectors, AAA Protection)



(Heatshrinkable Crimpable Terminals)


The Best Mutimeter Tutorial




Wire Termination Insulation & Sizes

Terminal Insulation Color Wire Sizes
RED

---

22-18 gauge wire
BLUE

---

16-14 gauge wire
YELLOW

---

12-10 gauge wire

The ring terminal holes comes in many sizes, from #4 up to 1/2" in most cases, it's a matter of finding the tightest fitting hole to fit the fastener for the termination.

American Wire Gauge(AWG) is backwards to what many people think; that is 22 gauge is many times smaller than 10 gauge even though the number is bigger.

I am gonna say it before someone else does if your glass fuse is getting hot and shutting your bike down It's not the fuse. fuses either burn out or fry wiring (unless you have a circuit breaker)

I changed my fuse block out for other resons the one I got allowed you to plug in after the constant hot to the switched hot

Glas Fuses are not bad they are just fuses while their is a certain coolness factor to upgrading to an easier to find more modern fuse choice

Well now my stock fuse block is melted at the main. I'm changing it out at least temporarily now. I'm not fond of getting stranded on the highway and it happened 3 times in the last 10 minutes. I know there is likely a short somewhere, and I will go through it all from front to back this weekend, but I definitely have to do something until then. For now it's going to be inline ATC/ATO fuse holders.

jasonwebb wrote: Well now my stock fuse block is melted at the main. I'm changing it out at least temporarily now. I'm not fond of getting stranded on the highway and it happened 3 times in the last 10 minutes. I know there is likely a short somewhere, and I will go through it all from front to back this weekend, but I definitely have to do something until then. For now it's going to be inline ATC/ATO fuse holders.

Exactly the same scenario I had only the PO bypassed every thing and I when I turned he key on evewrthing powered which insnt a bd thing since ther snt that mich on these olt bikes

The PO wired in a old crummy Pyramid stereo right onto the battery post with no fuse. I have it unhooked right now and will be installing something better soon, but I wonder if that is what was blowing the main fuse?

I went on a 20 mile ride this morning and everything was nice and cool under the seat and no blown fuses so far

Jason

Good possibilty the stereo was the culprit, but I'd change the fuses over anyway. There are some crazed previous owners out there, butchering up old bikes, so if you buy one that's had two or more PO, good luck on sorting out the electrical system.

I changed the fuses over to in-line ATO/ATC Friday. Last night the little lady and I went on a 3 hour ride and had no problems at all. If there was actually a short it must have been in the fuse block itself.

Thanks!
Jason

Good to hear! The older glass tubed fuses were all that was available when the bikes came out in the 80's. Now with the car type "Blade" fuses and holders, the electrical power being supplied is much more stable and less prone to vibration failures.