Fuses

[RossL]

In converting my 55 to 12volts. I noticed there aren’t many fuses. Has anyone added a fuse block or any additional inline fuses for protection from shorts?

[55blacktie]

You'll want to replace existing fuses with the correct amperage for 12v. Catalogs show correct amperage and their locations. Additional fuses will be required for any add-on accessories, like ac, electric wipers, etc. Take a look at ctci.org/gilsgarage "Switch Accessory Overload" for installation of additional fuse panel on the driver's side air deflector.

[Rusty57]

You are correct that there were not many fuses in these older cars. Adding fuses is really a matter of your choice. In most cases you are really trying to protect the wiring, not the device.

To be technically correct, you should replace any fuse that is in the car with a fuse that has 1/2 of the original amperage rating after you convert to 12 volts. However, that is not a good rule when you are replacing all the powered devices like lights, fan motor, radio, etc. with 12 volt devices. Then you need to select fuses appropriate to protect those devices.

[Jimntempe]

The basic idea of half the rating is good. Another thing to look at as a guide is what size fuses were used by ford when they went to 12 volts for each of the various circuits. It would be interesting to see the comparison for each circuit's fuses when 6 v versus what ford used when it went to 12v.

[ICON 1956]

That's a good point. Understanding the circuit flow from 6V to up grade 12V from Ford's idea logic from 1956 to present.