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Old house guys-are Edison fuse box parts available anywhere?
I've still got part of my house utilizing the old screw-in Edison fuses (the kitchen and garage are on breakers). I should update it, but it's just not in the financial cards right now because the wiring to those rooms should also be updated at the same time as it's knob-and-tube and I'm not comfortable doing that myself.
They're only 20amp fuses and they rarely blow. But the issue I'm having is one of the insulator discs in the base has degraded. It's like a heavy duty non-corrugated cardboard but I would imagine it's a specific material. The other sockets all have newer "discs" in them, for whatever reason this one base didn't. I don't want to take a chance by replacing it with the incorrect material. I'd like to replace that disc but I don't know what it's called and haven't had any success locating a source, or even know what the material is so that I could cut my own. I understand that it should be completely upgraded and will be next year, but I've got to get through the year first. I've left the fuse out of that base so the lights and outlets in three rooms are not currently functioning. There is one hardware store in the south end of Hartford that does a lot of business with the old rental houses so I'm holding out hope that they might just have some. There must be enough people still using those old fuses since they keep making them, maybe that's how they encourage the upgrade to circuit breakers by making repair parts unavailable? Or at least hard to find?
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
#2
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I suggest looking on the internet for a complete replacement box of the same design and configuration with low miles on it. I had a breakdown on my old house of the fused panel once and it was a minor miracle it did not start a fire.
I suspect it might be a lot cheaper to replace the antiquated fuse panel with a new box with modern breakers in it than you might imagine. If you can find one with a similar layout it is not hard to change one for the other providing your wires are not too crispy.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#3
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I think the biggest issue with the old Edison boxes is that you could screw in any size fuse (unless tamper-proof bases were installed). As folks' electrical needs increased with more and more electronic devises, and blown fuses became a nuisance, it was too easy to replace that 20A with a 30A thus overheating the wiring/insulation. The house was unoccupied for 5 years when I bought it from an older couple 15+ years ago so I'm fairly confident the system hasn't been too over-stressed since they were 20A when we moved in and that's all I've used when replacing them. That's not to say it shouldn't be upgraded. I'm just looking for a safe stop-gap.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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As I understand it the problem with fuses is that they work loose and arc, causing heat and sometimes fire.
I think this is less likely with breakers. Changing the whole panel is just like doing the two circuit panel but more wires. A little planning ahead will tell you if you have enough wire everywhere and so forth. Or as an alternative you might be able to get an electrician to do it on his own time for $100.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
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There was a show on pbs about light polution a week or so ago, One guy in NYC has a lightbulb store started by his grandfather--who was an aquantiance of Edison, had a plug in edison lightbulb still in the box.
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Do you have a picture? I might have one laying around in my shop I would be glad to give you. Otherwise just take the wire going to the bad socket and wirenut it together with one from a good socket and pigtail it into the good one. The worst that can happen is you will blow the fuse if you overload the circuit. You can also get a resettable circuit breaker that will screw into the fuse base. Just make sure to use the right amperage fuse/breaker for the wire size. 12ga.=20 amps 14ga.= 15 amps.
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1984 300TD 1981 240D |
#7
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Some years back I read a news story about an old house that had one of the earliest light bulbs ever offered commercially in a fixture hanging on their back porch, never changed....over fifty years old too.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#8
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I'm going to take a good look at it tonight and take some pics so I can draw up a diagram. Like you said, I've already taken care of two circuits. 4 more individual ones would take care of the rest of the house. It's not that big of a leap and the materials themselves are too expensive.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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Quote:
Looking for a pic I came across this and couldn't help but laugh. For those that can't read it: Quote:
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
#10
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I run across those boxes in old houses now and again, I wish I knew you needed parts I usually throw them out.
Mortgage companies are behind changing them out, you can't get a mortgage with a fuse box anymore.
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#11
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Quote:
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1984 300TD 1981 240D |
#12
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I may have what you are seeking. The electric was upgraded in my home last year and I saved most of the old equipment. I'll post pictures this afternoon.
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'86 300E 5 speed '71 Triumph TR6 '46 Cushman Scooter '41 Ford 9N tractor |
#13
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Thanks! 10fords came up with some, but spares would be good (my garage has a similar set up).
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
#14
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I will send the fuse socket parts at no cost . Let me know.
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'86 300E 5 speed '71 Triumph TR6 '46 Cushman Scooter '41 Ford 9N tractor |
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