What is the big deal about a relay with you big lights?

[Tug-n-pull]

1049990

I do not understand the need for a relay on the KC Daylighters. I got one it works and I know what it does kinda, but why is it needed? What would happen if i bypassed it? Silly question I know but it bothers me! Tug[addsig]

 

[RayOvac]

1049997

Eh tug once you start gettin into the bigger lights you are better off using a relay to switch them. There are several reasons to think of. One is since the lights use a lot of power...you will want to run heavier guage wire...you can run good heavy gauge wire from your battery to the lamps...put a relay on it...then use a light guage wire going into your dash to control the relay....the cool thing with that is you can almost use any switch you want and not worry about having a big ugly switch that you KNOW can handle the lights power requirements. You could just run straight wire but a relay makes a much nicer setup and keeps you from running heavy guage wire all over the place...I wouldn't recommend bypassing the relay...unless you like that "burnt" smell...if the wire is too small for your lights it could overheat starting a fire. Here is a pic of how a relay works...basically its just an electrically controlled switch.

Relay[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1050004

rayovac... nice diagram... (seriously)... although it was made in notepad, i think it's very helpful to those who don't know what relays do... good job![addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1050037

Hey RaY you da man! thanks Tug

[addsig]

 

[jprtroy]

1050367

#1 reason for using relays is, to keep dangerous currents out of the cab! Depending on the lamps, which could draw up to 11amps each (2 =22amps for the 150watt style) 22amps of juice running thru a switch located in the cab? Bad idea in my book. Fires start that way.

Relays are designed to handle current up to 30amps, and are controlled by currents in the milliamp range.



[addsig]