wiring up air ride solenoids off remote

Good Afternoon. I have been a long time reader, and only post when I am stumped. I have learned alot here and appreciate all the help. I just wired up 8 relays for an air ride set up in a 1965 Caddy. All run on a negative output from the switches. Now I would like to connect 2 channels from my Keyless Entry system to operate 4 valves up, and 4 valves down. I first thought I would wire up 2 more relays from the 2 channels that I wanted, and jump the output to the 4 valves, but if I do that, when I hit the switch inside for just one corner, it will lift the whole car because they are all jumped. I have stared at this for hours and I am stumped. Anyone know how to wire this properly? Thanks. 3onthetree

i am an idiot wrote: From the remote, you are only trying to raise and lower all 4 corners at the same time?  You will have to use another relay and have the output of the up relay feed the 4 up relays via 4 diodes.  You will have to do the same with Up as well.  So it will take 2 more relays and 8 diodes.

Yes sir, just trying to lift all 4 corners with one channel, and lower the 4 corners with the other channel. What diode would I use and where do they go in the wiring?3onthetree

1n4001 or 1n4007, or any number between those 2.  Wire the 2 relays to the keyless module.  Ground Terminal 30 of both new relays.  Connect the 4 diodes to terminal 87  of one relay.  Banded end of diode nearest the newly added relay.  Connect the other end of the diodes to the up switches or trigger wire for the existing relays.  Do the same for the down relays.  The key is to have the banded end facing the newly added relays.

i am an idiot wrote: 1n4001 or 1n4007, or any number between those 2.  Wire the 2 relays to the keyless module.  Ground Terminal 30 of both new relays.  Connect the 4 diodes to terminal 87  of one relay.  Banded end of diode nearest the newly added relay.  Connect the other end of the diodes to the up switches or trigger wire for the existing relays.  Do the same for the down relays.  The key is to have the banded end facing the newly added relays.

Do you ever sleep? Thanks alot for the answers. I was just coming on to post that I think I got it. After a few drawings and alot of reading, I realize that diodes are basically a check valve for electricity. So now I see exactly what you mean. Thanks again. 3onthetree

OK, so now that I have that figured out, I have another question. Since the diodes only let current go one way, and I control each corner with one switch from the drivers seat, the set up you described will keep the power from reaching the other relays. I can see how this will work with just the one corner, but when I hit the other relay on, it will still backfeed to the first relay right? So, lets just concentrate on the up vavles for now. I have each switch wired up with a relay. Terminal 30 to the negative of the valve, terminal 85 recieves the negative impulse from the switches in the dash, terminal 86 is (+), and 87 is ground. From the new relay that will control all 4 of the up valves, I will wire like this. Terminal 86 (+), terminal 85 gets the input from the alarm (-200ma), terminal 87 is ground, and terminal 30 goes to terminal 85 on the 4 "up" relays with 4 diodes on each of the 4 wires. I can see how that will keep the power from reaching relays 2,3,and 4, when I hit switch #1, but when I hit switch number 2, what will keep the power from going to switch 1, and 2? Then when I hit switch 3, what would keep the power from going to switch 1 and 2? Thanks Brian3onthetree

3onthetree wrote: OK, so now that I have that figured out, I have another question. Since the diodes only let current go one way, and I control each corner with one switch from the drivers seat, the set up you described will keep the power from reaching the other relays. I can see how this will work with just the one corner, but when I hit the other relay on, it will still backfeed to the first relay right? So, lets just concentrate on the up vavles for now. I have each switch wired up with a relay. Terminal 30 to the negative of the valve, terminal 85 recieves the negative impulse from the switches in the dash, terminal 86 is (+), and 87 is ground. From the new relay that will control all 4 of the up valves, I will wire like this. Terminal 86 (+), terminal 85 gets the input from the alarm (-200ma), terminal 87 is ground, and terminal 30 goes to terminal 85 on the 4 "up" relays with 4 diodes on each of the 4 wires. I can see how that will keep the power from reaching relays 2,3,and 4, when I hit switch #1, but when I hit switch number 2, what will keep the power from going to switch 1, and 2? Then when I hit switch 3, what would keep the power from going to switch 1 and 2? Thanks Brian

I guess writing it down again made be realize, that if I put all 4 diodes coming off the 30 terminal of the new relay for the "up", then run the 4 wires each of the relays for the valves, it will work that way. I guess I have to put it in writing to understand. My problem in the first scenario was to put a diode between each of the relays, the solution is to put them all on the 30 post of the new relay. Sorry for the rambling, now it makes sense. Thanks Brian3onthetree

Ive been working on something similar to this, im having an issue figuring out how exactly to wire each relay to each valve. If someone could please explain how to wire up each up vale relay and each down relay it would be greatly appreciated.

Are the relays for the valves triggered by a + or - signal? By the sounds of what you posted above, it appears they are triggered by a - signal. if that is the case then you should not need any more relays... just the diodes. Wire 4 diodes from each auxiliary output (one going to each corner's relay activation). The diodes will just prevent the signals sent by the switches to back-feed into the remote starter / alarm.Kenny

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