Relay or No Relay?
#23
#25
JK Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Kennesaw, GA
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your question has been answered but here is my opinion on relays:
Determining the need for a relay (for me at least) revolves around the length of use and power required.
For example... i relayed the aftermarket fogs on my PJ bumper to my factory fog switch --> they are on for extended periods of time.
My windshield lights are not relayed b/c they are used as follows:
a) off-road for periods less than two hours***
b) momentarily to advise the dumb as in front of me that he/she is incapable of managing a motorized vehicle and thus should remove himself from the road.
The switch heats up noticeably for extended periods... but no problems thus far.
Determining the need for a relay (for me at least) revolves around the length of use and power required.
For example... i relayed the aftermarket fogs on my PJ bumper to my factory fog switch --> they are on for extended periods of time.
My windshield lights are not relayed b/c they are used as follows:
a) off-road for periods less than two hours***
b) momentarily to advise the dumb as in front of me that he/she is incapable of managing a motorized vehicle and thus should remove himself from the road.
The switch heats up noticeably for extended periods... but no problems thus far.
#26
I'm in the process of wiring up a pair of Hella 500's using the harness & relay that came with the kit. I was about to wire up the switch last night when the instructions called for me to tap in to the high beam wire. Like so:
I hadn't really thought about it up to this point, but is this going to limit when my Hella's will turn on (whether my hi beams are on or not)? I want the Hella's to work independently of my hi/low beams and factory fogs. If this will limit when the Hella's turn on, do I need to skip the relay? Like so:
I hadn't really thought about it up to this point, but is this going to limit when my Hella's will turn on (whether my hi beams are on or not)? I want the Hella's to work independently of my hi/low beams and factory fogs. If this will limit when the Hella's turn on, do I need to skip the relay? Like so:
If connected correctly
Less current on switch = smaller wires in cab area.
More current to lights = Much brighter lights.
All high current wiring stays under hood ie. Larger wires.
Also the ability to connect switched wire to park lights/lighter/switched hot/ high beam /low beam wires with out issues.
All ways use fuses as close to the source of power there’s no excuse for no fuse I have seen sever damage from this any length of UN fused wire from the battery if a short occurs you have instant fire.
An indicator light is also a nice, especially if you have light covers.
Be safe hope this helps
#28
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Mechanicburg pa
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i would keep the relays in, and hook up to a keyed source, so that way you can shut off the power, incase of a relay issue, or a switch that gets wet shorts and turns on.....had a water issue with my tj, and ran battery down, it had duel batteries, luckly the batteries died, before the loom had a complete meltdown....
but check with you local laws, some place will not let ya pass inspection unless the fogs turn off with the highbeams??
by the way that was a nice rack....are they cold they were blue
but check with you local laws, some place will not let ya pass inspection unless the fogs turn off with the highbeams??
by the way that was a nice rack....are they cold they were blue