Auto Resetting 30A Circuit Breaker
 

I need a 12v 30 amp breaker protected line to power a device in my race car. I am running this line from the battery to a relay. This device would be best served by an auto resetting breaker. Does anyone have some advice on what breaker is best to use? No, I don’t have a PDM in my car. I am looking at something like this:

http://www.fastronixsolutions.com/Ci...%20breaker.htm

If there is a better device I would like to know about it.

Thanks!

Look up Bussman automotive electrical, Eaton industries. I’m sure you’ll find one that will work. Check the marine applications.

https://www.grainger.com/product/BUSSMANN-Automotive-Circuit-Breaker-6CHZ5

Lots of similar items available for marine - trolling motors etc maybe thru amazon etc.

I've used a type that inserts into a standard ATC fuse receptacle. Example below.

https://powerwerx.com/resettable-atc-blade-circuit-breakers?gclid=CjwKCAiA-8SdBhBGEiwAWdgtcMXUhrBZTYiUVMd3zTv3sR6GwmGCBDC8Rmt-yiOZ10ridA2uS3afpRoCRc4QAvD_BwE

Edit - not auto resetting though.

This is what I'm running between the starter terminal and my EFI fusebox in back (also Bussmann). Works fine but not auto-resetting.

I also use it as a killswitch if going out of town (I park outside year round) or parking somewhere sketch, as you have to know where it is to reset it. Not gonna stop someone really determined but it may deter an opportune theft.

Several years ago I purchased an Auto Reset Circuit Breaker to go inline with my fuel pump relay because I suspected the pump had an intermittent problem. The pump quit before I had a chance to mess with it and my new 044 pump solved the problem.
Here is one on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Automatic-Reset-Circuit-Breaker/dp/B07NSD3KYH/ref=asc_df_B07NSD3KYH?tag=bingshoppinga-20
https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Aut...ngshoppinga-20
How Does Auto Reset Circuit Breaker Work
Auto-reset circuit breakers connect to your electrical system via two metal studs. One stud is silver and links to the battery side of the wire. The other stud is bronze and connects closer to the electrical appliance. This breaker type has an electrical contact, which bends when heated, thus cutting off power.

But despite being auto-reset, it will still protect your electrical system. When there’s a fault, the auto-reset circuit breaker will trip continuously. If that happens, you have to look at your wiring system and other connected components to correct the issue.

When I added the headlight relay to my car, I put an auto reset circuit breaker on the line to the relay. With lights, when the fuse goes, your in the dark. At least with a resetting circuit breaker, I may still have one light to get me home.

I use a bank of cheap generic auto reset ATC breakers for the lights on my car. They have worked flawlessly for close to 20 years. The breakers are low beam, high beam, fog lights, and driving lights.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1672678462.jpg

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A bazillion years ago I was driving my dad's 63 Chevy pickup home from skiing and the lights went out. And a second later they came back on. Discovered that dad had put in a auto reset breaker because that old rusty truck had something off in the headlight circuit. It did it a couple more times in the 45 mile trip but I was able to get home. It was how I was able to safely get past a winding mountain road decades before cell phones existed. (It took about half a year for it to fail consistently enough that we could chase down the problem.)

Curious, why would someone want to go with an auto-resetting breaker?

Wouldn't there be a concern if the breaker was tripped (indicating a wiring issue) and it kept resetting?

To answer Don's question, GM type headlight switches had a self resetting 28a circuit breaker built in, so that if the harness shorted out somewhere, the headlights would flash off and on.

I think these are what is called a "Type 1" circuit breaker.

But often wiring is protected with a "fusible link" wire that has extra insulation on it that will cause the conductor wire to burn and go open before destroying the rest of the harness. They're usually a shorter (~12" or so) piece of wire of smaller gauge, located in an area where the burning will not cause a fire. Certainly not self resetting, but they are "slow blow," if that helps.

It's a smart decision to have a Bussman shortstop circuit breaker, which is a great investment for a car electrical system. It will prevent short circuits and current overload in your fuses and the electrical system. You'll also be able to save money because you won't have to replace your fuses every time an electrical problem arises.

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