What spare fuses to have on hand?

[Mary LG]

Hello,

My travel so far has been limited to very close parks, but after my retirement later this year, that will be changing! My first planned trip will be for over 2 weeks so now I am getting serious about what I need to have on hand in the event of an issue.

Not being the most experienced (read, my best solution is to have a long list of fix-it masters in my phone) at repairs, I realize I need to be more self sufficient on the road. The forum has been great and searches have given me a list of tools, etc to carry although, some posts have me scratching my head and running to Google and YouTube to figure out what language the posting is written in because it is beyond my technical understanding. I have learned a bunch. Thank you!

Many posts mention checking fuses, but I can't find which spare fuses and the number of each I should have on hand.

Thanks,

Mary

[cpaharley2008]

Walmart sells a variety pack, 2.5/5/10/15/20/30 amp fuses, that is a good start.

[tdf-texas]

Bringing along a 30 amp MAXI fuse for the battery fuse holder would be a good idea.

[Mary LG]

Perfect, gentlemen! Thanks!

[Mary LG]

Then I went on the Wallmart site. Sorry to be asking again but really lack knowledge. Saw fuses marked ATC,ATO ATM and FMX. And, some kits were numbers only, 2.5 -50 some had a number with a letter, 2A etc.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

Bringing along a 30 amp MAXI fuse for the battery fuse holder would be a good idea.

Like this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-FMM-...dp/B00T3AUUM6/

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Walmart sells a variety pack, 2.5/5/10/15/20/30 amp fuses, that is a good start.

Can't speak for anyone else, but my power center has all 15 amp fuses except one 20 amp. The two reverse polarity fuses are 40 amp.

[cpaharley2008]

Here is a good variety at Amazon, order there or look for in local store, these are the type you need for an Escape https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D4GF9BD...a-092258445276

[steve dunham]

ATO is a DC fuse with an open bottom and the fuse element is exposed
ATC Is a DC fuse where the fuse element is totally enclosed in plastic
ATM is a DC fuse similar to the ATC except smaller (Minature)
The ATM fuse will not fit in the standard fuse holder
The A in 2A stands for amperage
The fuse size is determined by the ampacity of the conductor
You always want to replace a blown fuse with the exact same type and of the same amperage

[Fox hunt]

just bought that Amazon set i know nothing about fuses

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Mary LG

Then I went on the Wallmart site. Sorry to be asking again but really lack knowledge. Saw fuses marked ATC,ATO ATM and FMX. And, some kits were numbers only, 2.5 -50 some had a number with a letter, 2A etc.

ATC and ATO fuses are like the ones in the fuse panel (shown by Dave); the only difference is whether they are closed or open on the back. The manual for the WFCO Power Center says to use ATC.

ATM are mini fuses - they look like a small version of ATO or ATC. I don't think there are any of these in an Escape, unless one of the appliances has them. FMX is another style entirely - none of those, either.

The letter "A" would presumably just mean "amps". Fuses are rated in amps, indicating the amount of current they allow to flow in the circuit. Small fuses usually just have the number (rating in amps) marked on them.

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

Bringing along a 30 amp MAXI fuse for the battery fuse holder would be a good idea.

Originally Posted by MikeS

Like this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-FMM-...dp/B00T3AUUM6/

No, that's an FMM fuse. The "Maxi" fuse should look like a big ATC/ATO, and might be labelled APX:

• illustration of Blade fuse types at Wikipedia
• listing for 40 Amp Orange Maxi Fuse at Walmart.com

(but check... there is some debate over whether the main fuse in an Escape should be 30 amp, 40 amp or 50 amp, and it may depend on how your specific trailer is wired)

Edit note: While I was assembling this Steve provided a concise and authoritative answer, but the illustrations and explanation might still be useful.

[padlin]

All mine are atc's, but then it's a 2014. You might want to follow someone's suggestion that has the same year trailer. Solar and an inverter may us something different then the atc's.

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Walmart sells a variety pack, 2.5/5/10/15/20/30 amp fuses, that is a good start.

Thanks, that’s good to know. The outlet I plug the television into went dead this spring. Never got around to checking the breakers.

Also the propane detector went off for no reason. After checkting everything out, I had to resort to a little surgery on one of the wires. Loren

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

No, that's an FMM fuse. The "Maxi" fuse should look like a big ATC/ATO, and might be labelled APX:

• illustration of Blade fuse types at Wikipedia
• listing for 40 Amp Orange Maxi Fuse at Walmart.com

(but check... there is some debate over whether the main fuse in an Escape should be 30 amp, 40 amp or 50 amp, and it may depend on how your specific trailer is wired)

Edit note: While I was assembling this Steve provided a concise and authoritative answer, but the illustrations and explanation might still be useful.

Thanks Brian thats helpful. I will probably pick up a couple for the tool box. I would rather have extra than need one and not have it while shaking things out.

[Iowa Dave]

In many pickups and SUVs there is a fuse panel cover under the hood the is marked fuses. On several that I have owned there is a row of fuses that are spares. A couple times I robbed an auto spare from my rig to help my kids out when they had blown one. You might check your rig to see if you have on board spares. Otherwise I have purchased the ATC kits on occasion with the little pinch type plastic puller included as my thick, powerful but arthritic fingers don’t work so good anymore. Ok they are not powerful either. The bigger maxi fuse in whatever size you have are good to have too. I’d only buy one of these as use should be very rare and you’ll need to find the cause before you replace or you’ll just blow it again.
That’s my experience. If you are where others are camped there’s usually a wizard around somewhere. Read that bored, inquisitive old guy who fancies himself as a knight in shining armor. Former electricians with a short stint in the Boy Scouts are good.
Iowa Dave

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

In many pickups and SUVs there is a fuse panel cover under the hood the is marked fuses. On several that I have owned there is a row of fuses that are spares. A couple times I robbed an auto spare from my rig to help my kids out when they had blown one. You might check your rig to see if you have on board spares. Otherwise I have purchased the ATC kits on occasion with the little pinch type plastic puller included as my thick, powerful but arthritic fingers don’t work so good anymore. Ok they are not powerful either. The bigger maxi fuse in whatever size you have are good to have too. I’d only buy one of these as use should be very rare and you’ll need to find the cause before you replace or you’ll just blow it again.
That’s my experience. If you are where others are camped there’s usually a wizard around somewhere. Read that bored, inquisitive old guy who fancies himself as a knight in shining armor. Former electricians with a short stint in the Boy Scouts are good.
Iowa Dave

I will keep an eye out for unlocked/unattended Highlanders in a pinch! Hopefully near a Yeti cooler with craft brew.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

In many pickups and SUVs there is a fuse panel cover under the hood the is marked fuses. On several that I have owned there is a row of fuses that are spares...

In Dave's photo there are a few unused fuse positions available... as expected, since Escape doesn't need or use all of the possible DC circuits supported by this power centre. The extra places can be used to park spare fuses - it's an easy-to-find location for them.

[Iowa Dave]

Brian
Your comment jogged my feeble memory. Last fall we blew a fuse when working on a light. I got a fresh fuse out and the repair was made. Later before I put the little box away, I stuck a couple in the panel blanks and closed it up. Haven't been in there since but your post reminded me that " it seemed like a good idea at the time". My "23 and me" ancestry showed some squirrels in my past so it's all starting to fit together.
Iowa Dave

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Brian
Your comment jogged my feeble memory. Last fall we blew a fuse when working on a light. I got a fresh fuse out and the repair was made. Later before I put the little box away, I stuck a couple in the panel blanks and closed it up. Haven't been in there since but your post reminded me that " it seemed like a good idea at the time". My "23 and me" ancestry showed some squirrels in my past so it's all starting to fit together.
Iowa Dave

On your “23 and me” what was your percentage of Neanderthal? Mine was higher than average, but then Cathy always knew that. Loren

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

No, that's an FMM fuse. The "Maxi" fuse should look like a big ATC/ATO, and might be labelled APX:

• illustration of Blade fuse types at Wikipedia
• listing for 40 Amp Orange Maxi Fuse at Walmart.com

(but check... there is some debate over whether the main fuse in an Escape should be 30 amp, 40 amp or 50 amp, and it may depend on how your specific

My trailer has a 60 amp fuse - but I did modify the wiring somewhat. I didn't think having a 30 amp fuse on a 55 amp charging circuit was wise. Most Escapes have 8 gauge wire coming from the battery so a 50 amp fuse should be good to use.