Bussman Fuses

[kevmor]

In a Cessna 150, anyone know where I can find replacement fuses? It's
Bussman AGS 20 (for 20 amp). Thanks

[Tom L.]

On 22 May 2007 11:18:27 -0700, kevmor > wrote:

>In a Cessna 150, anyone know where I can find replacement fuses? It's
>Bussman AGS 20 (for 20 amp). Thanks

These suppliers deal in "hard to find" components. They may charge a
premium (sometimes an enormous one) for finding you a part. You may
want to call avionics shops first.


http://www.codemicro.com/store/check_price.php?partid=1224648

http://www.componentsplus.net/manu_det.php?manuID=271
search for ags-20
note minimum order = $250

- Tom

[Maxwell]

"kevmor" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> In a Cessna 150, anyone know where I can find replacement fuses? It's
> Bussman AGS 20 (for 20 amp). Thanks
>

Sounds like same number common in automotive fuses. Have you tried an auto
parts store?

[B A R R Y[_2_]]

Maxwell wrote:
> "kevmor" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> In a Cessna 150, anyone know where I can find replacement fuses? It's
>> Bussman AGS 20 (for 20 amp). Thanks
>>
>
> Sounds like same number common in automotive fuses. Have you tried an auto
> parts store?
>

Grainger has many hard to find fuses, as some are used in telecomm.

Don't forget to purchase only from the "approved aircraft parts" aisle.

Lowes, Home Depot, and sometimes even Radio Shack also have the same aisle.

[Maxwell]

"B A R R Y" > wrote in message
t...
> Maxwell wrote:
>> "kevmor" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>>> In a Cessna 150, anyone know where I can find replacement fuses? It's
>>> Bussman AGS 20 (for 20 amp). Thanks
>>>
>>
>> Sounds like same number common in automotive fuses. Have you tried an
>> auto parts store?
>
> Grainger has many hard to find fuses, as some are used in telecomm.
>
> Don't forget to purchase only from the "approved aircraft parts" aisle.
>
> Lowes, Home Depot, and sometimes even Radio Shack also have the same
> aisle.
>

Would it matter where an Bussman AGS 20 fuse came from? I really don't know.

[Peter Dohm]

"B A R R Y" > wrote in message
t...
> Maxwell wrote:
> > "kevmor" > wrote in message
> > oups.com...
> >> In a Cessna 150, anyone know where I can find replacement fuses? It's
> >> Bussman AGS 20 (for 20 amp). Thanks
> >>
> >
> > Sounds like same number common in automotive fuses. Have you tried an
auto
> > parts store?
> >
>
> Grainger has many hard to find fuses, as some are used in telecomm.
>
> Don't forget to purchase only from the "approved aircraft parts" aisle.
>
> Lowes, Home Depot, and sometimes even Radio Shack also have the same
aisle.
>

Bussman is now part of the Cooper Group, and the current data sheets are
available here:
http://www.cooperbussmann.com/3/CooperBussmannDataSheetList.html and the AGS
Series is apparently discontinued.

As a former avionics tech, I was curious since I do not recall ever having
seen an AGS Series fuse. The nomenclature suggests that it was/is a 1/4
inch diameter, fast blow, glass tube type fuse and the letter "S" would have
designated the length.

I was curious and decided to look for it, but could not find anything of
value. However, there are a lot of Cessna 150 aircraft still in service.
My advice, as a former avionics technician, is to ask Cessna and/or a repair
center. There is obviously an approved substitute, which almost certainly
includes a replacement for the Fuse-Holder, and (if it was my aircraft) I
would ask Cessna what kit they offer for the purpose--including any
instruction sheets and guidance on any required maintenance log entries. I
would then purchase the documentation from Cessna and, if it is only
available as a kit with the parts, the additional cost will save the
additional shopping--and time is money. Remember that your alternative is
to rsk a failure at a remote location after the last of those old fuses has
been sold.

Peter

[kevmor[_3_]]

I went to a local auto parts store (Napa) and looked at their fuses.
They're packaged with their logo, but when you look at the fuse itself, it
has the same "BUSS" lettering, I assume they're Bussmann? Other than the
"AGC" instead of "AGS", they seem to be identical. It was $1.50 for 5
compared to $30-50 online (with minimum orders for aircraft parts). Could
it be this easy? I couldn't find on Bussmann's website anywhere that says
AGC replaces AGS, though.

"Peter Dohm" > wrote in message news:QhX4i.12251
> Bussman is now part of the Cooper Group, and the current data sheets are
> available here:
> http://www.cooperbussmann.com/3/CooperBussmannDataSheetList.html and the
> AGS
> Series is apparently discontinued.
>
> As a former avionics tech, I was curious since I do not recall ever having
> seen an AGS Series fuse. The nomenclature suggests that it was/is a 1/4
> inch diameter, fast blow, glass tube type fuse and the letter "S" would
> have
> designated the length.
>
> I was curious and decided to look for it, but could not find anything of
> value. However, there are a lot of Cessna 150 aircraft still in service.
> My advice, as a former avionics technician, is to ask Cessna and/or a
> repair
> center. There is obviously an approved substitute, which almost certainly
> includes a replacement for the Fuse-Holder, and (if it was my aircraft) I
> would ask Cessna what kit they offer for the purpose--including any
> instruction sheets and guidance on any required maintenance log entries.
> I
> would then purchase the documentation from Cessna and, if it is only
> available as a kit with the parts, the additional cost will save the
> additional shopping--and time is money. Remember that your alternative is
> to rsk a failure at a remote location after the last of those old fuses
> has
> been sold.
>
> Peter
>
>

[Peter Dohm]

"kevmor" > wrote in message
...
> I went to a local auto parts store (Napa) and looked at their fuses.
> They're packaged with their logo, but when you look at the fuse itself, it
> has the same "BUSS" lettering, I assume they're Bussmann? Other than the
> "AGC" instead of "AGS", they seem to be identical. It was $1.50 for 5
> compared to $30-50 online (with minimum orders for aircraft parts). Could
> it be this easy? I couldn't find on Bussmann's website anywhere that says
> AGC replaces AGS, though.
>
The real question is not whether the AGC fuse would probably work, but
whether is the authorized replacement; and without the specfications for the
old AGS fuse, that is difficult to guess.

For whatever reason, Cessna does not put a lot of information on line for
public use and the Cessna 150-152 club also requires a member log in to view
their collection of service bulletins. If it was mine, I would certainly
consider a membership that might give me the same collection of reference
material as my mechanic should have.

OTOH, in this case, it looks like the easy answer may be to walk up to the
nearest Cessna parts counter. I have been wrong before, but I think they
will have an authorized substitute; and if the physical size is the same, it
will probably be less than $5, since there will then be no need to replace
the socket. I strongly suspect that the AGS20 was simply a useable part
they had in stock at the time, and that they have long since determined an
appropriate substitute. Therefore, once you have the authorized sample, and
any needed documentation--such as a service bulletin number--things should
be a lot simpler.

BTW, I have lived in Florida for many years and before breaker panels became
common in houses, we kept our household fuses in a glass jar with an
airtight lid until they were needed--otherwise they corroded just enough to
fail shortly after they were installed. Therefore, I do not trust old
fuses; and that is a large part of the reason for my insistance that you
should look for the authorized substitute. The remaining reason, obviously,
is the cost.

I hope this helps
Peter

PS: Yes, BUSS is Bussman.

[Scott Skylane]

kevmor wrote:
> I went to a local auto parts store (Napa) and looked at their fuses.
> They're packaged with their logo, but when you look at the fuse itself,
> it has the same "BUSS" lettering, I assume they're Bussmann? Other than
> the "AGC" instead of "AGS", they seem to be identical. It was $1.50 for
> 5 compared to $30-50 online (with minimum orders for aircraft parts).
> Could it be this easy? I couldn't find on Bussmann's website anywhere
> that says AGC replaces AGS, though.

Kev,

The AGS fuses have a slightly larger diameter than the AGC's. Length of
the two is the same. As such, an AGC will fit, albeit loosely, an an
AGS socket. As I stated earlier, any decent Cessna parts house should
have these in stock (S1091-20).

Happy Flying!
Scott Skylane

[Blueskies]

"Peter Dohm" > wrote in message ...
>
> "kevmor" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I went to a local auto parts store (Napa) and looked at their fuses.
>> They're packaged with their logo, but when you look at the fuse itself, it
>> has the same "BUSS" lettering, I assume they're Bussmann? Other than the
>> "AGC" instead of "AGS", they seem to be identical. It was $1.50 for 5
>> compared to $30-50 online (with minimum orders for aircraft parts). Could
>> it be this easy? I couldn't find on Bussmann's website anywhere that says
>> AGC replaces AGS, though.
>>
> The real question is not whether the AGC fuse would probably work, but
> whether is the authorized replacement; and without the specfications for the
> old AGS fuse, that is difficult to guess.
>
> For whatever reason, Cessna does not put a lot of information on line for
> public use and the Cessna 150-152 club also requires a member log in to view
> their collection of service bulletins. If it was mine, I would certainly
> consider a membership that might give me the same collection of reference
> material as my mechanic should have.
>
> OTOH, in this case, it looks like the easy answer may be to walk up to the
> nearest Cessna parts counter. I have been wrong before, but I think they
> will have an authorized substitute; and if the physical size is the same, it
> will probably be less than $5, since there will then be no need to replace
> the socket. I strongly suspect that the AGS20 was simply a useable part
> they had in stock at the time, and that they have long since determined an
> appropriate substitute. Therefore, once you have the authorized sample, and
> any needed documentation--such as a service bulletin number--things should
> be a lot simpler.
>
> BTW, I have lived in Florida for many years and before breaker panels became
> common in houses, we kept our household fuses in a glass jar with an
> airtight lid until they were needed--otherwise they corroded just enough to
> fail shortly after they were installed. Therefore, I do not trust old
> fuses; and that is a large part of the reason for my insistance that you
> should look for the authorized substitute. The remaining reason, obviously,
> is the cost.
>
> I hope this helps
> Peter
>
> PS: Yes, BUSS is Bussman.
>
>

How can you be sure the fuse removed from the plane was the 'approved' fuse as installed from the factory? Is listed in
the airplane's parts list?

[Peter Dohm]

"Blueskies" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Peter Dohm" > wrote in message
...
> >
> > "kevmor" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> I went to a local auto parts store (Napa) and looked at their fuses.
> >> They're packaged with their logo, but when you look at the fuse itself,
it
> >> has the same "BUSS" lettering, I assume they're Bussmann? Other than
the
> >> "AGC" instead of "AGS", they seem to be identical. It was $1.50 for 5
> >> compared to $30-50 online (with minimum orders for aircraft parts).
Could
> >> it be this easy? I couldn't find on Bussmann's website anywhere that
says
> >> AGC replaces AGS, though.
> >>
> > The real question is not whether the AGC fuse would probably work, but
> > whether is the authorized replacement; and without the specfications for
the
> > old AGS fuse, that is difficult to guess.
> >
> > For whatever reason, Cessna does not put a lot of information on line
for
> > public use and the Cessna 150-152 club also requires a member log in to
view
> > their collection of service bulletins. If it was mine, I would
certainly
> > consider a membership that might give me the same collection of
reference
> > material as my mechanic should have.
> >
> > OTOH, in this case, it looks like the easy answer may be to walk up to
the
> > nearest Cessna parts counter. I have been wrong before, but I think
they
> > will have an authorized substitute; and if the physical size is the
same, it
> > will probably be less than $5, since there will then be no need to
replace
> > the socket. I strongly suspect that the AGS20 was simply a useable part
> > they had in stock at the time, and that they have long since determined
an
> > appropriate substitute. Therefore, once you have the authorized sample,
and
> > any needed documentation--such as a service bulletin number--things
should
> > be a lot simpler.
> >
> > BTW, I have lived in Florida for many years and before breaker panels
became
> > common in houses, we kept our household fuses in a glass jar with an
> > airtight lid until they were needed--otherwise they corroded just enough
to
> > fail shortly after they were installed. Therefore, I do not trust old
> > fuses; and that is a large part of the reason for my insistance that you
> > should look for the authorized substitute. The remaining reason,
obviously,
> > is the cost.
> >
> > I hope this helps
> > Peter
> >
> > PS: Yes, BUSS is Bussman.
> >
> >
>
> How can you be sure the fuse removed from the plane was the 'approved'
fuse as installed from the factory? Is listed in
> the airplane's parts list?
>
>
My presumption is that the OP did comfirm the correct part number in the
POH. Scott Skylane has also stated a dimensional difference between the AGS
and AGC series fuses.

However, I really am glad that you responded to my post, as I was concerned
that I might be mistaken for a Rules Nazi. I am no such thing, even though
I do acknowledge the possibility that the entire flag actuating circuit
could receive a lot of scrutiny in the event that an incident resulted from
a failure of the flaps to retract on a missed approach.

My real point is that a lot of Cessna 150s, originally equipped with AGS
fuses, have presumably been been flying for a lot of years since the AGS
fuses were dropped from the Bussman catalog. Therefore, this problem has
been solved before and there should be no need to "reinvent the wheel" or to
buy a 30 year old fuse for the price of 100 new ones. My two best guesses
are that either (1) there is a service letter or bulletin and/or a kit or
(2) Cessna has ordered and stocked batches of the original fuses--you can
get things like that done if you are willing to order a reasonable number
and pay a set up fee.

In any case, the Cessna dealer's parts department will have the answer
available; and so will any good A&E-IA, including the one who signed off
your last annual.

BTW, it is not at all uncommon for an OEM to be the most economical source
of generic service parts. When I was an avionics technician, we saw that
happen about once a week (especially with semiconductors) and I have seen it
many times since then with automobile parts.

Peter