Old house guys-are Edison fuse box parts available anywhere? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SwampYankee · #1 07-23-2012, 09:55 AM

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?

t walgamuth · #2 07-23-2012, 10:11 AM

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.

SwampYankee · #3 07-23-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

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.

Thanks, Tom. I'll keep an eye out. The wires (and their covering) still seem to be flexible. I had the whole box apart last year when I replaced the two fuse panel for my dryer with two circuit breaker box. That was far less daunting than the prospect of the whole house, though.

I suppose I could/should just bite the bullet and pick up a 6 breaker panel and at least replace that much. I'd still probably wait until it cools off a bit.

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.

t walgamuth · #4 07-23-2012, 01:29 PM

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.

panZZer · #5 07-23-2012, 01:49 PM

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.

10fords · #6 07-23-2012, 02:35 PM

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.

t walgamuth · #7 07-23-2012, 02:35 PM

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.

SwampYankee · #8 07-23-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

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.

That was what prompted me to change the feed for the dryer over to circuit breakers from the Edison fuses, the fuse for the heating element kept backing out. Fortunately I never saw and evidence of arcing but I can see where that could be an issue.

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.

SwampYankee · #9 07-23-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

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.

I don't have a pic here, but here's a pic of a similar setup. What I'm looking for is the fiber "disc" in the base of the top left socket (red arrow pointing to it) that's secured by that single screw in the center. The other components of the socket are good, it's that insulator material i'm trying to find.

Looking for a pic I came across this and couldn't help but laugh.

For those that can't read it:

Quote:

Look under "E" for Electrician.

Hatterasguy · #10 07-23-2012, 06:46 PM

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.

10fords · #11 07-23-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I don't have a pic here, but here's a pic of a similar setup. What I'm looking for is the fiber "disc" in the base of the top left socket (red arrow pointing to it) that's secured by that single screw in the center. The other components of the socket are good, it's that insulator material i'm trying to find.

Looking for a pic I came across this and couldn't help but laugh.

For those that can't read it:

I replaced one of that exact box a few weeks ago and I don't think I tossed it yet as it rode in the back of the truck til last weekend. I'll go look right now and get back to you.

865sp300e · #12 07-25-2012, 09:09 AM

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.

SwampYankee · #13 07-25-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 865sp300e

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.

Thanks! 10fords came up with some, but spares would be good (my garage has a similar set up).