Relays

[blazerpro79]

how do you wire a relay? when i bought my lights and fan they never came with any info on relay wiring or even a relay. many people advised me to wire them through a relay, so i bought a few, can someone tell me where each of the 3 wires go? thanks in advance

 

[xtrmjoe]

This is the diagram I used for my rock lights, elec lockers, etc.

 

[blazerpro79]

nice diagram! but i have a question

why does 30 go to the battery, and 85 goes to a power source too?

 

[readymix]

30 is your high amp contoleed power
85 is your low amp control power

When power is applied to 85, then the coil is energised, then the contacts close providing a path for the power across 30 to 87.

 

[BobK]

Think of it this way.
Power to the 85 terminal "turns on" the relay allowing high currant flow from term 30 to the 87 term.which in turn powers whatever the relay is connected to.

 

[Blazr77400]

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp

 

[2Dogs]

Wiring for that relay setup - I think I used 12 gauge for the batt-relay-lights run, 14 or 16 gauge for the switch run.

 

[blazerpro79]

ok makes sense thanks a lot! hopefully today will clear up and i can go drop them in.

another quick question, some relays have an 87 and 87a. does that mean you can connect 2 separate objects together? i.e. 2 separate sets of lights?

 

[rpellicer]

87 is hot when 85 is has power, 87a is hot when 85 doesn't have power. There are some relays (DPST I think) that have two 87 terminals rather than an 87 and 87a. These can run two outputs at a time.

 

[jekbrown]

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp

holy crap dude, thanks for that link!!! its gonna help when I rewire my rig...

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