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relays what do they actually do

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:12 pm
by Rangie ute on 38''
its prob a stupid question but what do relays do in a wiring system, im putting the wiring in for some spotties n wondering how important they are

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:23 pm
by chunkz
ahaha i hate this topic... i suggest giving a search mate
give this a read:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... 12&start=0

but what i just did with mine is so my spotties can only switch on when high beams are on...

firstly find out if your lights are negativly switched or positively...
for number 30 pin on the relay it hooks up to power (this powers the spot lights)
85 pin goes to ground, caus you always need earth right? (this is an earth for the relay not the spot lights, spot lights have their own earth)
87 pin connects to positive of the spot lights
86 connects to your switch and your switch connects to the high beam wire...

Now what the relay does, the relay is basically an automatic switch..
now whilsts no power goes through pin 86 the switch is open (so basically power from pin 30 doesnt go through to pin 87 which powers the spot lights)
but when your high beam lights come on... you have power going to your cabin switch... which you can choose to turn on/off
if you turn it on... power goes from high beam wire, through your switch and onto pin 86 which then closes the relay switch which means pin 30 will now get power through to spot lights and spot lights come on...


I dont think you have to have a relay....
but if you choose to want it so you can only have your spot lights on when your high beam is on... this is the way to go...

or if you wanna be able to turn them on and off any time you like...
do positive from spotties to a switch then to a fuse then to battery terminal... and negative of spotties to neg terminal..





Now as a disclamer, these pictures are not my own they belong to some guy off some site who said some stuff on this site or something like that

:roll:

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:25 pm
by RoldIT
Allows you to use a low current wire to switch a different circuit, usually much higher current circuit.

ie it's an electrically operated switch.

Without trying to sound cliche(sp), google for it. There are heaps of diagrams and more detailed explainations around.

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:26 pm
by RoldIT
chunkz wrote:ahaha i hate this topic... i suggest giving a search mate
give this a read:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... 12&start=0

but what i just did with mine is so my spotties can only switch on when high beams are on...

firstly find out if your lights are negativly switched or positively...
for number 30 pin on the relay it hooks up to power (this powers the spot lights)
85 pin goes to ground, caus you always need earth right? (this is an earth for the relay not the spot lights, spot lights have their own earth)
87 pin connects to positive of the spot lights
86 connects to your switch and your switch connects to the high beam wire...

Now what the relay does, the relay is basically an automatic switch..
now whilsts no power goes through pin 86 the switch is open (so basically power from pin 30 doesnt go through to pin 87 which powers the spot lights)
but when your high beam lights come on... you have power going to your cabin switch... which you can choose to turn on/off
if you turn it on... power goes from high beam wire, through your switch and onto pin 86 which then closes the relay switch which means pin 30 will now get power through to spot lights and spot lights come on...


I dont think you have to have a relay....
but if you choose to want it so you can only have your spot lights on when your high beam is on... this is the way to go...

or if you wanna be able to turn them on and off any time you like...
do positive from spotties to a switch then to a fuse then to battery terminal... and negative of spotties to neg terminal..





Now as a disclamer, these pictures are not my own they belong to some guy off some site who said some stuff on this site or something like that

:roll:
Link to the site before he has another teary!!!

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:28 pm
by Slunnie
The relay just uses a small amount of current to operate a switch. The switch then allows a large amount of current to flow or be directed.

It means you can have extra controls (eg spotties can only be switched on when high beam is on), smaller switches and smaller fuses for cabin connections, minimise voltage drops to high powered accessories, the use of automated switching etc.

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:52 pm
by ausyota

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:50 pm
by drivesafe
Hi Rangie ute on 38â€

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 10:30 pm
by murcod
Switches will also last longer (and can be smaller) if they don't have to handle huge amounts of current.