M38 Circuit breakers

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:49 pm

Trying to make sense of the M38 circuit breaker set up.

As I understand it, the late type light switch has a built-in circuit breaker, so no additional circuit breakers are necessary. But what about the early switch (2 plugs)?

The 2-plug light switch is correct for my M38 (MC-26057), and it should also have 4 circuit breakers. My instrument panel has no circuit breaker mounted on it.

My question is: if I use the early 2- plug type light switch, do I need all 4 circuit breakers? Or can I run it without the instrument panel breaker?

Thanks in advance,
Owen.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:33 pm

The two plug switch and the next single plug with the old boss still there for the second plug switch are used with 4 circuit breakers. Both of these switches are the Bendix/Scintilla switches and if you are running them and no other circuit breakers you have no circuit protection at all.

The second Bendix switch was phased out in Apr/May 52 when the CB's were also phased out.

My question is: if I use the early 2- plug type light switch, do I need all 4 circuit breakers? Or can I run it without the instrument panel breaker?

Yes. You should not.

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:13 am

Thanks Wes.

Now for the simple task of finding the 4 circuit breakers.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:25 am

The later Packard connector versions are still in production today by Klixon.
They are easy to adapt to the Douglas connector.

http://klixon.com/klixon/circuit-breake ... l-9115.htm

This is a manual one. They are also available in automatic reset.

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:26 am

Thanks for the tip, Wes.

brachus12 · Post by **brachus12** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:42 pm

wesk wrote:The later Packard connector versions are still in production today by Klixon.
They are easy to adapt to the Douglas connector.

http://klixon.com/klixon/circuit-breake ... l-9115.htm

This is a manual one. They are also available in automatic reset.

I have two of those that came in the pile of parts with the M170.

Mine don't have the red button with the rating, however. It's flush metal. Is it the automatic type?

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:47 pm

Yes.

If you go to the weblink Wes posted and download the data sheet pdf, a drawing of the automatic type (flush) is on the second page.