12v thermal breakers - main differences?

[MattS]

Hi folks,

Is there a specific difference in performance or capability between these two models of 12v thermal breakers?

Panel Mount Manual Trip/Reset Circuit Breaker 12/24V

and

Push Button Thermal Trip Circuit Breakers

There's a significant price difference (£2.88 vs £28) so there must be something fundamentally different about them, but I'm failing to work out what it is! What would I be compromising if I went for the cheaper ones on my boat?

 

[andsarkit]

The expensive ones can also be used as a switch (push on, push off) which could save having a separate switch.
Without more details on the specification it is not possible to compare them. The cheaper ones would probably be fine and you could afford to carry a few spares.
Durite don't make circuit breakers so you would have do some research to find the original manufacturer. It could be ETA who are a well established manufacturer of quality circuit breakers.
It looks similar to this one:ETA
Available from Furneaux Riddall

 

[MattS]

Thank you @andsarkit - I hadn't picked up on the push on push off part. So the cheaper Durite breakers would need a separate on/off switch (as opposed to using the breaker as the switch, which is the current setup on my Moody).

The more expensive breakers look very similar to the ETA ones, so I reckon they're the same thing.

The cheaper Durite ones I think are made in China (I believe ETA are made in Germany). Having said that, they're being sold by a reputable company - so I'm sure they perform the job they're intended for.

I normally don't bawk at spending a bit more for quality components, but the 10x difference in cost with these did make me look!

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

I salute your bravery in daring to suggest that some breakers might be a bit of a rip off.

 

[Skipper_Christoph]

The expensive ones are ignition protected. Don't know whether is of interest for you

 

[MattS]

The expensive ones are ignition protected. Don't know whether is of interest for you

Thanks - yes - that's relevant too so useful to understand. Having been told by several people to be considerate of ignition risks on a boat, I do try and factor that in when I can.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks - yes - that's relevant too so useful to understand. Having been told by several people to be considerate of ignition risks on a boat, I do try and factor that in when I can.

Generally speaking, talking about ignition protection on a diesel boat is nonsense. Different story if it's petrol, but even then, ignition protection doesn't usually extend outside of the engine room by much.

 

[arcot]

Generally speaking, talking about ignition protection on a diesel boat is nonsense. Different story if it's petrol, but even then, ignition protection doesn't usually extend outside of the engine room by much.

Leaking Gas stoves.......

 

[MattS]

Generally speaking, talking about ignition protection on a diesel boat is nonsense. Different story if it's petrol, but even then, ignition protection doesn't usually extend outside of the engine room by much.

I've always been told it's more about gas leak, or flammable fumes being given off by LA batteries...?

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

Most breakers are sealed anyway. They have gas leaks in China too. Even in houses.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Leaking Gas stoves.......

LPG is heavier than air, it congregates in the bilges. There are a zillion things on a boat that would ignite LPG before a relay for the fridge.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I've always been told it's more about gas leak, or flammable fumes being given off by LA batteries...?

Sorry Matt, that's just nonsense. Is your diesel engine starter motor, alternator, stop solenoid etc ignition sealed ?

If you could ignite Hydrogen from LA batteries with a relay (unless it's very, very, very, very close to the batteries), i'll eat my socks.

 

[MattS]

Sorry Matt, that's just nonsense. Is your diesel engine starter motor, alternator, stop solenoid etc ignition sealed ?

If you could ignite Hydrogen from LA batteries with a relay (unless it's very, very, very, very close to the batteries), i'll eat my socks.

That’s fair enough - we expand our understanding with the latest information we’re given don’t we!

What you’re saying does make sense, and I’m really only going off the various bits of advice I’ve been given since having the boat - I don’t have the foundational knowledge to have my own informed opinion yet unfortunately!

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

That’s fair enough - we expand our understanding with the latest information we’re given don’t we!

What you’re saying does make sense, and I’m really only going off the various bits of advice I’ve been given since having the boat - I don’t have the foundational knowledge to have my own informed opinion yet unfortunately!

I expect you know a lot that we don't!