Harbor Freight fuse kit poor quality

[rcodecj]

I purchased an atc fuse kit from HF. I used two of the 30 amp fuses to run my two electric fans, less than 15 amps each.
In no time they degraded. Since then I have replaced them with new fuses with no problems.
I should have known when I noticed the plastic on the fuses looked so crappy.
Just a little warning if you are running HF fuses.

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[drdano]

Did the plastic housing melt before the fuse link popped?

[rcodecj]

Did the plastic housing melt before the fuse link popped?

The fuse link did not blow, so I would say yes it was starting to melt.
Also the male tabs on the fuse were a tight fit to the female fuse holder so it wasn't caused by a poor connection to the fuse holder.

[babybolt]

I think this may be a generic problem with a lot of overseas sourced auto electrical components.  Recently I had to replace an common 1157 bulb on a trailer and the auto store wanted $5.95 for a two pack of Chinese bulbs.  I needed it so paid the price, but then not soon after had to replace the bulb again but this time found an old but unused bulb in my parts cabinet.  People in the know are sourcing OEM stuff like this out of junkyards now.

[drdano]

Did the plastic housing melt before the fuse link popped?

The fuse link did not blow, so I would say yes it was starting to melt.
Also the male tabs on the fuse were a tight fit to the female fuse holder so it wasn't caused by a poor connection to the fuse holder.

Thats a FIRE waiting to happen!  Yikes! 

[hotrodfeguy]

HF and poor quality REALLY? Is this a serious post?

[rcodecj]

HF and poor quality REALLY? Is this a serious post?

They obviously sell a ton of these kits. You can not see the fuses very well when they are in the box.
If this post saves someone from burning up their car then yea, I guess it's a serious post.

[hotrodfeguy]

Go to NAPA get some quality parts HF would not be my choice for getting parts for a 20K car.

[FirstEliminator]

Harbor Freight sell some that is poor quality-----SHOCKER!

    I get lots of oem quality fuses really cheap. My local junkyard lets me fill a coffee can with fuses and relays for like 10 bucks.

[BigNate]

I buy lots of stuff at HF - and have plenty of tools that I would otherwise not have if I hadn't found them on sale with a 20% off coupon stacked on top of the sales price (band saw etc...).  I don't make my living with this stuff though - and I don't know that I have ever bought anything that would become part of the car from them...   

[Joe M]

H-F is great for some things but I shy away on others.  I bought a variable speed polisher for under $20.  I can tell by the sound that the internal gears just don't mesh like those on a higher dollar polisher.  If it lasts two years, I can toss it in the trash and buy 10 of these for what I'd pay for a hi quality piece.
Conversely, I wouldn't buy something like a MIG welder from H-F.  I'd rather pay the money and have something that will work well and last.