high quality relay....

[brelandt]

I bought a set of KC lights for my truck in 2005. The bulbs are H1 (I think) and I seem to go through relays too often. My second set is giving me issues now. I have to hit it with my hand for it to work. It also blinks off and on going over rough patches of road.
The relays that came on my truck however, are older (originals) and have never needed replacing.
What's a good brand or website?

 

[440Magnum]

Contact Dan at danielsternlighting.com and ask, or else just buy from him. He used to have a source of very good relays for his relay-installation kits. Better than anything I was ever able to find in small quantities, anyway.

 

[Rand]

whats the total load? maybe run 2 relays in parallel..

need more info. are they failing from corrosion or what?

 

[JHZR2]

H1 bulbs shouldnt be killing relays. Heck, I have these bulbs in 30 year old cars and they work great.

I dont think it even uses a relay!

 

[HerrStig]

You may need a relay for each lamp. Bosch makes a good product. Figure out how many amps each light draws, (watts divided by 13) and buy a couple which are oversize by about 50%.
Obviously get "12 volt" coils. You could get one relay big enough for both lamps, as well, plus the same 50% over figure. Relays don't cost a lot. Good ones can often be found in car audio catalogs, like Chrtchfield. Dan Stern always has good products ae well.

 

[mikered30]

Dual relays in parallel or one relay per filament may work. Tyco, Bosch, Siemens, Omron, Potter & Brumfield make good relays.

 

[tom slick]

Buy sealed relays. They solved a short lifespan issue I had with a automotive lighting setup.

Most Bosch style automotive relays are rated for more amps than two 100w bulbs are going to pull.

You should have a diode installed across the coil, some relays have it built in.

Tyco is now "TE" if it helps your search.

 

[MrHorspwer]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
Buy sealed relays. They solved a short lifespan issue I had with a automotive lighting setup.


+1

I had a similar issue with short relay life for auxiliary lamps. I was using quality Bosch relays too. Had I mounted them inside the vehicle, away from moisture and temperature found underhood, they would have likely lived a long and happy life.

Sealed relays and weatherpack relay bases fixed my problem. I purchased mine from Susquehanna Motorsports (www.rallylights.com).

 

[brelandt]

Thanks guys for the help. Looks like I need to do a little bit more work on the subject! Getting late here for now.