What search phrase do I use, what's this called?

[kthoennes]

After the very helpful refrigerator discussion I decided I needed to finally dive into my electrical system and make sure it's all in good shape. I have two 50 amp fuse boxes, one next to each battery switch. The little fuse holder cap has corroded on one of the boxes and won't hold the fuse in anymore. Picture below, but this is the good one, not the one with the loose fuse cap. The fuse was still in there, hadn't fallen into the bilge yet, but I assume I ought to replace the fuse box, and both of them while I'm at it. I'm trying to find an exact replacement or something very close, but I can't find anything that looks similar online. The boat's a '96 so I assume they may not look identical, but does anybody know what these black fuse boxes are called? Maybe we've moved on to circuit breakers now and they look like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Erayco-Circu...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

And then there are 30 amp fuses in both these 50 amp boxes, but maybe that's okay -- but if we've been running with 30 amp fuses in there for the last six years, should I replace them with a 30-amp breaker or 50 amp? And then while I'm at it, what's that little gray pill bottle looking thing to the right? Boy I have a lot to learn. Thanks. Karl

 

[Lou_tribal]

Maybe a picture inside the box would be helpful as I hardly understand why you would have a 30A fuse inline with a 50A breaker.
You may replace this with a resettable breaker like this
https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/14/27/Circuit_Breakers/Medium_Duty

Or depending what is in replace the box with a breaker like this
https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/14/32/Circuit_Breakers/285-Series?Mounting=Surface_Mount

Advice: For your safety never upscale a fuse/breaker if you are not 100% sure this can be done safely with the wiring that is in place.

Note: I would take the opportunity to check that solenoid on the right that shows corroded connectors.

L

 

[STB]

Maybe something like this?

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea-systems--fuse-holder-replacement-cap--11975927

Or this

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/perko--fuse-holder-cap--264515

Or this...

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea-systems--panel-mount-fuse-holder--10710663

 

[kthoennes]

Thanks Lou. New Cole Hersee pvc coated continuous duty 12v marine solenoid on order - looks like an exact match. Learn something every day. Next I'll take off that box cover and see what's inside. I didn't realize I could replace just the cap but I'll see what's inside first. My dad who knows bigger boats pretty well says if we've been running for years with 30 amp glass fuses in a 50 amp box, he'd go with a new 30 amp breaker. But I'll look at the guts first. Step by step.