The idea has come up from time-to-time of building a "P-LTD" rule system around the idea of limiting the AMPs allowed to be pulled through a power system. The idea isn't new. It's often used for Airplanes, etc.

I was picking up a new 40A fuse for our Tahoe last night at O'Reilly's Auto Parts, and came across these "Littlefuse MEGA-FUSE" packs.

20160201_201117.jpg

http://www.littelfuse.com/products/f...fuses/298.aspx

Data Sheet available here:
http://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/Au..._Datasheet.pdf

They come in ratings from 40A all the way up to 220A.

The dimensions for these particular ones are:

littelfuse_mega_dimensions.jpg

These particular ones are "slow blow", which seems appropriate for this application. The size seems to be appropriate for many applications as well. I could easily fit this into a system in a Hydro, Sport Hydro, OPC Tunnel, etc.

If one really wanted to, they could use the supplied Maga Fuse holder as well:

http://www.delcity.net/store/MEGA%C2...older/p_795652


Looks like you can pick them up for around $5.00 each:

http://www.delcity.net/store/MEGA-Fu...FZRcfgod0XoC1w


Would be an interesting test to build in a 100A fuse to a P-LTD system and see how the system responds, watching for heat build-up, resistance, voltage drop, and general performance.

Would be another interesting test to build a similar setup using a "hotter" motor and review the same data.


The theory would be that you design a set of rules around the idea of simply failing the system, via the fuse blowing, if you exceeded a certain power level. I think you'd still want, or NEED, to specify a general motor SIZE range, or maximum, but otherwise, might be able to leave the rest open to the competitor's judgement.

If you push it too far, the fuse pops, and you're done.

Just regurgitating an old idea, but I think it's worthy of discussion.

Any thoughts?