simple relay? where to buy?

[patman]

ok i am wiring up aux. backup lights I already know how i wanna do it but i have one problem...the relay...i am searching with a relay that has three prongs

i want a relay that when it receives power from the stock reverse light wires, will complete the circuit and light the aux. reverse lights as well...does such a relay exist? if so where can i get it?

thanks in advance

 

[Bill Kemp]

Most all relays I know about are 4 prong. 2 are used for the switching + & - . And 2 are used for the power to the light.
http://www.1728.com/project3.htm

 

[JDraper]

Relays don't come with 3 prongs. That would just be a switch. A relay requires a post for ground, a post for switching, a post for power in, and a post for power out. You need a standard 4 or 5 pole relay, which you can get at just about any automotive parts store or Radio shack. Check out http://www.kchilites.com/store/faq.aspx#InstallGuides on how to hook 'em up.

Ya beat me to it Bill...dang weather has our internet going sloooowwwwww..

 

[Sandy]

ok i am wiring up aux. backup lights I already know how i wanna do it but i have one problem...the relay...i am searching with a relay that has three prongs

i want a relay that when it receives power from the stock reverse light wires, will complete the circuit and light the aux. reverse lights as well...does such a relay exist? if so where can i get it?

thanks in advance

As Bill K stated four prongs are the way to go; don't even use the Relays with the 87A tab.
You are looking for standard Automotive Relay with pin numbers 30, 85, 86 and 87 only.
Pin 30 is for power from the battery, pin 87 is for the load, i.e. the Backup Lights, pin 85 and 86 are for the Switched power and the ground.

Now to add my 2 cents on the install.
Using the exisitng backup wire is a good method of setting up new higher wattage lights but only to activate the relay.
Mount the Relay under the Hood not at the back of the vehicle.
Run a new fused wire (sized properly for the amount of current/wattage of the new aux lights) from the battery to the pin 30 on the relay and from pin 87 on to the lights.
You could splice in the existing backup Switch wire on the transmission to actuate the relay or add a separate switch or both.

Now that I have said too much, how are you planning to hookup the new lighting circuit ?

Happy New Year

 

[patman]

i already know where the relay will be...i'm doing a new setup of wire running for my under dash lights, front aux lights and the rear aux lights...switches will be in the ashtray ant the relay and fusebox will be towards the front near the cubby holes but underneath...i am using conduit and getting plugs..this will be as proffesional job as i can do on my budget

 

[patman]

diagrams

ok this is a wiring diagram(ish) (more of a colorful semi-descriptive drawing) of how my wires will look when im done....the first pic is a general overview and the second one is an up-close of the center console....all the wiring will be together inside of conduit and hidden underneath of course

for the second picture any red is live power and any of the lightred/pink are live power wires after being switched/going through the relay

so what do you guys think?...i'll definitley pos pics of before and after

 

[Bill Kemp]

so what do you guys think?...i'll definitley pos pics of before and after

:thumbdwn:

As Sandy said; the relays should be under the hood and only the low voltage switching wires should be in the interior of the veh. Theres a good reason the factory does it that way. It keeps the higher voltage wires, that can cause a fire if shorted, under the hood.
Driving down the road at 60 mph. and seeing smoke comming from the console is a sure wreck.
In addition I see only no relay for the driving lights, if that is what the "front aux" means.

 

[patman]

alright i'll definitley move the relay and the fusebox to the hood probably on the firewall or something

the front aux has no relay...they're just on a swithc...no relay i turn them on when i want them and off when i don't

 

[Sandy]

Patman,

Your front lights are on the stock wiring ?

The rear lights are on a new relay and wiring ?

Is this what you are saying ?

 

[patman]

my front lights have their own power from the battery, their own switch and their own ground they are not affected by what is happening w/ the rest of the vehicle whatsoever

 

[Bill Kemp]

my front lights have their own power from the battery, their own switch and their own ground they are not affected by what is happening w/ the rest of the vehicle whatsoever

I guess you dont want to hear that your "front lights" are wired incorrectly?
The lights should be wired with a relay. This is to protect you and to give the lights the needed volts to operate as designed. Not to mention the switch wearing out.
When you ask a question, you have to be ready for the answer, weather you like it or not.
I & Sandy am not trying to rag on you, but want you to know that there is a better and safer way to wire your lights.
Whatever you choose to do with your X is fine with me, but at least you know what is right.

 

[patman]

really if there's not a relay they don't get enough power? wow i had no idea...really i didn't well thanks for that...really

 

[invisy]

ok i am wiring up aux. backup lights I already know how i wanna do it but i have one problem...the relay...i am searching with a relay that has three prongs

i want a relay that when it receives power from the stock reverse light wires, will complete the circuit and light the aux. reverse lights as well...does such a relay exist? if so where can i get it?

thanks in advance

i just got 3 of these for my aux lights porject
http://www.autozone.com/R,603614/st...uctDetail/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm

 

[fixxxer]

The relay's don't really care too much what voltage is being fed to them as long as it's what the actuator coil needs to actuate They are current switching components. The relay's contacts are usually rated for much more current than most after-market switches. This means you keep the high current wires under the hood where they belong. You don't want a wire carrying a high current to get shorted out behind your dash. that's why the relay, with an inline fuse, stays under the hood, not in the cab.

 

[Sandy]

Patman,

How's the project going ?

All set on the relays and where to get them ?

ltr,

 

[patman]

yeah i'm set...i've got it all set out...i'm soldering and conduiting everything now...i figure this weekend or next i'll get it all put in the old girl...i'll get pics still

 

[Sandy]

Luck,

 

[Sandy]

yeah i'm set...i've got it all set out...i'm soldering and conduiting everything now...i figure this weekend or next i'll get it all put in the old girl...i'll get pics still

Hey, just reviewing some of my old posts and subscriptions and noticed your; how did this work out ?