read this post about fuses:texas:


http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/general-tech-maintenance-mod-info/20114-important-aftermarket-fuse-info.html

Didn't feel like joining a Ford Diesel Forum. What's the story?

This is somewhat old news, but a good thing to keep fresh in people's minds.

Back in August '07, one of the moderators on the SSR board posted this warning (not validated though):

We have now had two vehicles come into our department with extensive wiring harness damage. Both of these vehicles had a replacement 15 amp fuse instead of the GM fuse. The fuse does NOT “pop” causing the wiring harness to catch fire.

The fuse has a clear, hard plastic blue body with the amperage stamped into the top there is no white paint on the fuse. There are no identifying marks on the fuse to tell who is making it. The fuse is distributed by Harbor Freight, attached is a picture of the box of fuses.

Your dealers should look out to make sure that suspect wiring problems are not caused by these defective aftermarket fuses. The 15 amp fuse on this particular truck did not “pop” even at 50 amps. The fuse in the second picture still tests “good” even after a direct short across the battery. We tested six of these fuses and none of them pop.



I've stated it before, and I'll do it again - never buy anything from Harbor Freight that you would depend on for your life.

Harbor Freight is just a clearing house for crap. They do have a few decent items made by name brand manufactureers such as IR air tools. I think these are probably "seconds" or "returned defective" but they carry the full warranty.

important aftermarket fuse info
I recieved this forewarded email today that evidently came out of a GM dealer or area rep's experiences....

"Steve

We have now had two vehicles come into our department with extensive wiring harness damage. Both of these vehicles had a replacement 15 amp fuse instead of the GM fuse. The fuse does NOT “pop” causing the wiring harness to catch fire. The fuse has a clear, hard plastic blue body with the amperage stamped into the top there is no white paint on the fuse. There are no identifying marks on the fuse to tell who is making it. The fuse is distributed by Harbor Freight, I attached a picture of the box of fuses. Your dealers should look out to make sure that suspect wiring problems are not caused by these defective aftermarket fuses. The 15 amp fuse on this particular truck did not “pop” even at 50 amps. The fuse in the second picture still tests “good” even after a direct short across the battery. We tested six of these fuses and none of them pop.

Thanks Nathan"


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/mschn99/Fuse.jpg


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/mschn99/fuse2.jpg

I happen to like Harbor Freight. I haven't had any problems with anything I've bought from them. You have to be a smart shopper though, knowing what you are buying and how you will be using it. I think that's why alot of people don't like them, because they go there with high expectations and buy items that you are not supposed to go cheap on. I mean, come on people, you don't buy fuses from a discount tool store!

Complaining about the cheapo fuses that YOU bought is almost as stupid as that guy who sued McDonald's for making him fat.

I don't know? I would think a fuse is a fuse. if anything I would figure it would pop to easy, say a 15 amp popping on 10 amp draw. It never occured to me that they may not blow at all. I to buy some things from them but I know most of their stuff is not hi quality.
You know if the fuse says 15 amps then 16 amps should blow it no matter how (cheapo they are)But hey you get what you pay for (right?)
Donny

Yes, ya need to know what you are buying there alright. I like their cheap wrenches, to keep on my boat. If I drop one in the drink, it's no big deal:nanawrench:
Buying electrical stuff may be a gamble, although I have a 20- buck trim router I bought there a few yeas ago, and it's been pushed hard with no problems.

its kinda like, buying "oats",you could get really good oats ,or oats that been run through the horse..:poke:

.....I I have purchased limited use tools from them. They can help save some cash for DYI'ers who don't need pro grade stuff. I have also bought some consumables from them, like gloves, tape and tie raps. I would not purchase safety items from them, but I can see why someone would. In the day of Government regulation, one might think that if there selling it, some agency has approved of it. Thats what happens when we trade our common senses for government assistance. "Buyer be ware" What is the Latin translation....... ?

When are we going to stop buying that cheap Chinese made crap, what we think of a factory is some clown in a shack making these products. Look at the Made in China drywall, full of sulphur discoloring silver and copper in their houses once the humidity hits it. These homes are not fit to live in. Lead in toys, poisons in baby formula. We need to learn a lesson. Now China wants there Gov. stimulis monies go only to China products. Thats enough for now. I am going to eat a chilled home grown mango in front of a fan.

You better check the "Made in" sticker on that fan. LOL Cold Mango sounds good though.