Relay type for headlights ??

Honorstick

Hey guys I keep seeing people metioning a 12 volt relay to be used in a headlight circuit. Well I just picked up a couple of inexpensive fog lights to hook up on my G9A to use for this hunting season and my question is. Is a relay neccessary? If it is what relay are you guys using for this?

I may or may not stick with these lights once I get into my actual build but I don't want to burn anything up in the mean time either.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

BGW

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DOOmsman

i used a relay for fog lights that cost about $8.00

It has the capacity for the lights and doesn't overload the stock
wiring harness.

Honorstick

Thanks dooms

Will this work?
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...614_0341030904

gornoman

If your on/off switch is rated as high as the draw on the circuit, no relay is necessary. If you install a switch rated at 5 amps in a 10 amp circuit, guess what's gonna fail first.

DOOmsman

Gorno is right on, but he is the magic smoke virtuoso here.Yes it will, if you install two 55 watt bulbs you will draw 9.1 amps.
see here to calculate your loads.

http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/ohm...calculator.php

pachanga90

To make it simple,If you wire from the battery,thru a fuse to the lite-switch,then to the lites,No Relay needed.But if you are hooking into your existing wiring(not a good idea anyway),then definitely use a relay.If you use a standard relay. #85 is ground,#86 is switched-power,#87 is accessory,#30 is battery +.Hope this helps.

sho305

Bosch type relays are around $3.50 on amazon, they are 30A relays. The plug wired is about the same cost, I use both to kill my clone when I let off the pedal. I don't use a relay on my lights, but the switch is good for it otherwise they don't last long. However the important part is you wire it to the battery both positive and negative, because the carts do not have grounded frame unless you ground it. It will typically pop the little fuse in the cart wiring if you don't. Some people run a switch off the key and then to a relay so the lights only work when the key is on, that is when you must use a relay when you draw any power from stock wiring.....if you wire to battery you don't just make sure the switch is good for the current or use a relay off the switch if not.

pachanga90

You can get the Bosch relays at most auto-parts stores and vehichle accessory suppliers.They sell them with or without a mounting-tab.If you don't buy the base w/ pigtail,then use insulated connectors to prevent them from shorting across each other if something hit the wires.Hope this helps.

Honorstick

Thanks alot guys that helps a bunch. Hopefully I'll feel up to getting them put on tomorrow.

Mike Mac

I am totally with Pachanga on this one. 14 gauge wire and 110 volt switch means they will always work!