At 17:49 31/05/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I don't agree with the statement that your product has failed.  Just the
>contrary.

No, the product has failed! A blow fuse is a failure it stops working!
Hence FAILed

>The user has preserved his/her investment in that product.  The failure is
>in the
>user not following instructions in installing the batteries.

There is some argument about service technicians not being able to change a
set of torch batteries without an instructiion manual appicable here, be
dammed if I can remember it :)


> If they would
>have been
>paying attention, they wouldn't have put the batteries in backwards, and
>they
>would not have had the inconvienence of a blown fuse.  But they only lost a
>fuse
>and a little time, not the whole unit.
>

Fuses in battery operated devices (Hand held) since when?


>As far as not being servicable by the user, how much education and
>coordination
>does it take to change a fuse.

An IQ or more than moron level perhaps?

>It would have taken less time to pay
>attention to
>the battery installation instructions in the first place, thereby saving
>time and trouble.
>

If they can get the batteries wrong, then why do you assume that the
operator can get a fuse correct?
What is stopping the operator from changing it to a higher rating say a 3"
nail?


>The end choice is up to the designer.  I only offered a suggestion.  One
>that has been
>used and proven by me.  It is there for you to consider.  Whether you use it
>in your end
>product is totally up to you.


All suggestions are open to comment. Sometimes there may be a better mouse
trap out there, never hurts to check. (Snap!)


>Whatever  failsafe method is chosen, as long
>as it provides
>the degree of safety necessary, and at a cost that is agreeable by everyone
>involved, is
>the right choice for that product.
>

Fuses and fuse holders are expesnsive, yet alone all the abuse that you cop
when a fuse blows (Operator error or not)


Dennis

>I guess I'm done now.   Thanks for letting me sound off on what I think
>regarding this issue.
>
>
>Good Luck,
>
>
>Jim
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Paul B. Webster VK2BZC <paulb@midcoast.com.au>
>To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
>Date: Monday, May 31, 1999 5:25 PM
>Subject: Re: Reverse Polarity Protection for 3V PIC Circuit.
>
>
>>Jim Paul wrote:
>>
>>> You could add a diode across the batteries with a fuse so that is the
>>> batteries are inserted the wrong way, the fuse blows cutting off the
>>> power source.
>>
>>  But then your appliance has "failed".  Not good publicity.  OK, if it
>>is used under supervision and can be repaired and put back into service.
>>Better to use a resistor (only need a few ohms) and diode.
>>
>>  Reverse-inserted batteries promptly go flat.  "Darn batteries!"
>>Properly inserted ones last for "ages".  Appliance always works if
>>good batteries inserted correctly.  This is the "teaching" approach.
>>--
>>  Cheers,
>>        Paul B.
>
>