Color Coded Fuses

[Tom L.]

Does anyone know where I could find fuses with red and white stripes? I checked the typical sources and had no luck. Zip has them for C-2 era cars, but, while those sets have the 10 amp red stripe fuses, they don't have the 25 amp white striped fuses.

Thanks.

[Mike M.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

i've had success in old junkyards. i might add that the repo colored fuses i've seen have the color painted on the outside of the fuses glass barrel. originals have the paint on the inside of the barrel.mike

[Bill L.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

They are on ebay all the time. Kinda pricey for NOS fuses.

Bill

[Kevin G.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

Tom,

Mikes suggestion of visiting your local u pull it is where I have found several fuses in the past. If that option is unavailable you might trying reaching out to Pete Lindahl, you can find his name and contact info on the membership list here on the TDB. He is sure to have what your looking for!

Regards,

[Chuck G.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

i've had success in old junkyards. i might add that the repo colored fuses i've seen have the color painted on the outside of the fuses glass barrel. originals have the paint on the inside of the barrel.mike

When I lived in Maryland, we used to go "junkyarding". Fuses were one of the items I always looked for. I'd check any/all old GM cars.

AND, Mike is correct. Every original fuse I've ever seen or owned had the color INSIDE the glass tube. Every repro I've seen had the color OUTSIDE, painted ON the glass tube.

Chuck

[Jack H.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

Look more closely at those used/original fuses you pull at the scrapyards, Mike...

You should discover there were at least TWO approved suppliers (Buss & Littlfuse) with one applying the color ID ring to the inside of the glass vial and the other putting it on the outside. I have gathered samples of both versions over the years...

[Richard L.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

If Jack is correct and there were two original fuse suppliers, then this should be reflected in the judging manual, as it states that fuseshave to have the color stripe on the inside.

[Mike M.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

Look more closely at those used/original fuses you pull at the scrapyards, Mike...

You should discover there were at least TWO approved suppliers (Buss & Littlfuse) with one applying the color ID ring to the inside of the glass vial and the other putting it on the outside. I have gathered samples of both versions over the years...

if you have documentation two fuse suppliers existed for the midyears, the team leaders would appreciate seeeing it before changing the judging manuals. mike

[Jack H.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

Well, the fuses weren't color coded for the benefit of the fuse mfgr.

Next, they were purchased parts vs. internal sourced. Having sold to GM, I know what a supplier has to do to gain 'sole source' approval and virtually NOBODY got to that nose bleed level.

Then, I've pulled both parts from scrap yard cars of the era and supplied samples of both to the NCRS member who wrote the original article on fuse color coding for NCRS Restorer magazine.

And, I've made this statement (more than one supplier + different color code techniques) several times before.

Last, if I remember correctly, John Hinckley did confirm there was more than one qualified fuse supplier. Maybe, he'll chime in on our thread...

Bottom line, isn't there a degree of due diligence others (above my pay grade) need to execute before adopting a stance on historic part accuracy?

Over the years, I've seen SEVERAL part debates where the AIM clearly called out more than one PN as being qualified for factory use. But, it seemed the only way we became believers at NCRS was when a Star/Bowtie candidate came to us for judging bearing that previously unrecognized alternative part.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Color Coded Fuses

Does anyone know where I could find fuses with red and white stripes? I checked the typical sources and had no luck. Zip has them for C-2 era cars, but, while those sets have the 10 amp red stripe fuses, they don't have the 25 amp white striped fuses.

Thanks.

Tom,
If you're going for appearance and not absolute authenticity, consider gently chucking any over the counter fuse in a portable drill or drill press, then with a fine paint brush and the appropriate Testor's model paint (or blend) turn on the drill and paint whatever color you want.
Good luck!
Jeff