Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
Ahhhh, what you want is a "Programmable Recloser." They're used in the power distribution industry and you probably have one outside your house or down the street on your circuit. So, if Sammy the Squirrel is unfortunate enough to put one paw on the neutral and one paw on an energized phase he'll blow the recloser and your lights will go off. But the recloser will automatically try and reset a programmed number of times, like three, to see if the fault is gone (because Sammy was skyrocketed over in to your neighbor's yard). Since the fault is gone, your lights come back on. But if it's something like a big tree limb that's still on the lines, then the recloser comes back on, and goes off, and comes back on, and goes back off, and comes back on, and then goes off and stays off until the tree is removed. That's what you want... but they don't make them for cars.  |
I just got off the phone with Bussmann, and they actually have something very similar to what you are talking about. "It is called a Type II - Modified Reset.
The circuit breaker will remain tripped (in the OFF position) as long as there's power to the circuit, due to an internal resistor. Type II breakers can
be reset by turning off the circuit, or by turning off the ignition switch. These devices are sometimes called "non-cycling breakers." Several Cooper
Bussmann Type II breakers feature silver-colored bodies." this text is from their catalog. I was not that interested so I did not think to get a part number. I called back and left a message, because it actually does not sound to bad.
I still think I am leaning towards the pop out button though...nice and simple. I don't like the sounds of an internal resister either. I don't really know why, should I be afraid of it?
EDIT: More info from the Waytek site
http://www.waytekwire.com/products/1...cuit-Breakers/
"Waytek carries thousands of circuit breakers for auxilary and accessory circuits on trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, marine, and construction equipment. From hi-amp circuit breakers to blade type electrical breaker. Waytek has rugged and reliable circuit breakers for exceptional circuit protection performance. To make a selection on which circuit breaker is best for your application, you must consider where the circuit breaker will be mounted, the current rating you need the electrical breaker to carry, and the type of reset method. Circuit breakers have four types of reset methods: Type 1 Automatic Reset, which means the circuit breaker keeps cycling on and off until the overload is removed, Type ll Modified Reset or Non Cycling, where the circuit breaker doesn't reset until the overload is removed or the the power is turned off, Type lll Manual Reset with the trip indication shown on the body of the circuit breaker and it must be manually reset, and Type lll Switchable, which is similar to Type lll Manual Reset, but the circuit breaker has a manual trip button."
I really like the Type 3 switchable, but it looks totally different, very heavy duty and waterproof. Also more expensive...IMO it would look real cool in a Cobra, but definitely not traditional to an ERA Cobra. Look on the bottom of this page
http://www.waytekwire.com/products/1...I---Switchable