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Relay power source

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Old 10-20-2011, 03:49 AM
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I guess that 1/2 a sine wave could almost be thought of as a "chopped" AC signal?
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Old 10-20-2011, 05:21 AM
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Originally Posted by JK-Ford
I guess that 1/2 a sine wave could almost be thought of as a "chopped" AC signal?
It doesn't follow a sine curve at all. It's simply on or off.
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Old 10-20-2011, 10:06 AM
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It would be interesting to know what the frequency is? 60Hz? More than 60Hz? I have no formal training in this area. But I'm still curious.
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Old 10-21-2011, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by JK-Ford
It would be interesting to know what the frequency is? 60Hz? More than 60Hz? I have no formal training in this area. But I'm still curious.
Measured with two different instruments....

Headlights on with engine running:
78% duty cycle; 90Hz

Headlights on with engine off:
0% duty cycle; 0Hz
(I would have thought always on would be 100% duty cycle. But, I guess it means there is no cycle to measure.)
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Old 10-29-2011, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ronjenx
The normal power to the headlights is pulse width modulated DC. It is modulated to send power to the headlights about 80% of a given time period. It is supposed to prolong bulb life without reducing light output.

But then, if you have something that describes it as having AC power, can you post it or a link to it?
A modulated DC is a form of AC, just not sinusoidal. So a 10uf cap does the trick to filter the Modulated DC to just DC. and the computer & relays are both happy also the bulbs will have a normal life span
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Old 10-29-2011, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 69mach1
A modulated DC is a form of AC, just not sinusoidal. So a 10uf cap does the trick to filter the Modulated DC to just DC. and the computer & relays are both happy also the bulbs will have a normal life span
'fraid not. AC alternates in direction or polarity, hence the term alternating current.
Pulsating DC is direct current that turns on and off, but always has the same direction or polarity.
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Old 10-29-2011, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ronjenx
'fraid not. AC alternates in direction or polarity, hence the term alternating current.
Pulsating DC is direct current that turns on and off, but always has the same direction or polarity.
HuH kinda reminds me of the old radio with a 6v vibrator

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Old 10-29-2011, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 33 williys 77
HuH kinda reminds me of the old radio with a 6v vibrator

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So the DC would work in the transformers?
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Old 10-29-2011, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ronjenx
So the DC would work in the transformers?
You got it and points for coils
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Old 10-29-2011, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by ronjenx

So the DC would work in the transformers?
Probably not. Turning on and off is different than cycling like the AC sine wave that generates the electromagnetic field that transformers use to "transform" (sorry, no pun intended).
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