Identifying Electric Short?

[DougE]

This is on a 2015 GMC Canyon but is really a generic question. There is a plate with non-replaceable fuses on top of the battery (see photo below). I would suspect this unit is quite expensive and only available from GM in the near future. If one of these fuses pops the entire assembly would be replaced although I think I could modify it for replaceable fuses by cutting off the existing fuses and drilling a few holes. After supposedly identifying a short on a normal fused circuit I would typically just stick in a low amp spade fuse and see if it pops. At the anticipated cost of this assembly, however, I really need to use a non-destructive method. What approach would you electric guru's suggest?

[westend]

You could make a "catastrophic" replacement easy enough, something you could just bolt in place if you lose any functionality in the boonies. All you need is a piece (or two) of copper bar, a short battery cable, and the same size fuses.

Heck, this isn't that frightening, my BMW has an explosive charge on the positive cable. If the vehicle is in a bad accident, the charge detonates but leaves power to the lights and some other accessories. It shuts off power to everything else.

[DougE]

It's a "what if" due to the unusual nature of this rig. It seems to be too new for any forum action (anywhere) yet. I don't want to be out in the boonies and then try to figure this out. Apparently no knowledge has been developed for this rig yet. Believe me, I've hunted.

[Hornnumb2]

DougE wrote:
This is on a 2015 GMC Canyon but is really a generic question. There is a plate with non-replaceable fuses on top of the battery (see photo below). I would suspect this unit is quite expensive and only available from GM in the near future. If one of these fuses pops the entire assembly would be replaced although I think I could modify it for replaceable fuses by cutting off the existing fuses and drilling a few holes. After supposedly identifying a short on a normal fused circuit I would typically just stick in a low amp spade fuse and see if it pops. At the anticipated cost of this assembly, however, I really need to use a non-destructive method. What approach would you electric guru's suggest?

So do you currently have a short or this is just a what if? I would imagine that the fuses are protecting a fuse box down the line. So if something shorted it would blow the 20amp fuse before it would get to the 100amp main.

[DougE]

Somewhat, red31.
300a - Starter
250a - Underhood fuse block
100a - Instrument Panel Fuse Block
100a - Instrument Panel Fuse Block
100a - Cooling Fan Control Module
100a - Power Steering Control Module
See why I'm concerned?

[red31]

it seems that all but the two big ones have many down stream fuses/breakers.

[DougE]

None of the GM parts sites are showing this part yet. Heck, most don't even have the 2015 Canyon. This rig is definitely different than the 2014. So I can't show you this thing out of the parts manual yet. I've been wrong before but all I can tell you is what my eyes are seeing.

[Salvo]

That's how I see it.

enblethen wrote:
I would disconnect the battery, remove the clear plastic shield, then look as I am quite sure that the fuses are replaceable. Under the black protective cover there should be screws holding the hot side in place.

[D_E_Bishop]

YC 1 wrote:
Pop Rivet and silver solder a new one in place. A picture is already posted of the type than can be bolted in place.

That is, bolt the one end back on and solder the other end on with a pop rivet for good measure,.

In any case, you have plenty of warranty left so I would not give it much thought. If one of those pops you do have a very serious short. It is usually easy to find the source of the short. Just follow your nose to the source where the electrons ran out,.

YC 1, could you clarify something for me, I understood that electrons differ in smell from one manufacturer to the next, you know like propane is odorless and the smell is added for identification, is this accurate. I know the magic smoke in electrical components varies by components. A JK flip-flop smells different than a countdown IC.

[wa8yxm]

DougE wrote:
wa8yxm - I'm not trying to identify the blown fuse, I'm trying to verify the circuit is OK before sticking another fuse in.

Two options. Replace test light with a headlight
Or replace test light with a standard in-line fuse holder with say a 30 amp fuse in it. Same concept

you might also try an ammeter (fused at or below meter limit) as well.

[enblethen]

I would disconnect the battery, remove the clear plastic shield, then look as I am quite sure that the fuses are replaceable. Under the black protective cover there should be screws holding the hot side in place.
I would not do it until it is ever necessary!

[DougE]

Keep in mind that this is an RV forum and we may be out in the middle of nowhere where dealer-supplied parts may be a couple of hundred miles away. Needing these specialty parts rather than generic ones makes it seem like the manufacturers are trying harder to keep us tethered to them for repairs.

[YC_1]

Pop Rivet and silver solder a new one in place. A picture is already posted of the type than can be bolted in place.

That is, bolt the one end back on and solder the other end on with a pop rivet for good measure,.

In any case, you have plenty of warranty left so I would not give it much thought. If one of those pops you do have a very serious short. It is usually easy to find the source of the short. Just follow your nose to the source where the electrons ran out,.

[MrWizard]

just away to have a GM specific "costly" part
if it blows you got a major problem, shorted starter ?

but i would probably replace it with discreet components
drill a holes and bolt in ANI fuses

as far as testing, before replacing, you need to know where that wire goes
then use a fused jumper wire for testing

[RoyB]

I like using the BLUE SEA FUSE ASSEMBLIES available from AMAZON...





Another reason I like using theses type of connectons I get the use of another RING TERMINAL CONNECTIONs if needed for something else... All of my BATTERY CABLES uses RING TERMINALS...

Roy Ken