65 riviera clamshell headlight actuator
Printed From: the12volt.comForum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=134691
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Topic: 65 riviera clamshell headlight actuator
Posted By: forcedfed
Subject: 65 riviera clamshell headlight actuator
Date Posted: August 09, 2013 at 10:38 AM
I have a 65 Buick Riviera with the clamshell headlight doors and I replaced the headlight motor with an actuator. I'm trying to get the actuator to open the clamshell headlights with the trigger of the headlight wire, and retract (close) when the lights are off.
This seems simple, and forgive me if this setup has been posted 100 times, I looked around before I posted!
Here is my problem.. I heard that I can accomplish this with a single DPDT relay.. I don't want a switch on the dash, I want it to work like it did from the dealership. I found some diagrams but my relay has posts that are numbered totally different than what I have seen. It appears to be a common relay.
I have an R14-11D10-12 DPDT relay, the actuator has internal limit switches that are set and work fine, it's a common 2 wire actuator. Wired one way it extends, reverse the wires and it retracts.
Thanks in advance!
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-Shawn
This seems simple, and forgive me if this setup has been posted 100 times, I looked around before I posted!
Here is my problem.. I heard that I can accomplish this with a single DPDT relay.. I don't want a switch on the dash, I want it to work like it did from the dealership. I found some diagrams but my relay has posts that are numbered totally different than what I have seen. It appears to be a common relay.
I have an R14-11D10-12 DPDT relay, the actuator has internal limit switches that are set and work fine, it's a common 2 wire actuator. Wired one way it extends, reverse the wires and it retracts.
Thanks in advance!
-------------
-Shawn
Replies:
Posted By: forcedfed
Date Posted: August 14, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Posted By: davep.
Date Posted: October 04, 2013 at 1:04 PM
This is my first attempt at creating/modifying an existing relay diagram. Forgive the crudeness.
This is a basic polarity reversing scheme. The coil is energized by the headlight ON power. This is the center connection on the dimmer switch. This wire is also found on the back of the headlight switch. On GM's this wire is yellow in color. 1965 MAY be the earlier black wires with colored stripes, in this case TEST, or use the center connection on the dimmer switch.
When the headlights are ON, relay is energized, and doors open. Internal limit switches cut off motor power when fully open.
When headlights are off, relay coil de energizes, polarity is reversed, doors close. Internal limit switches cut off motor power in closed position.
You want the N.C. contacts to be the CLOSE polarity because the relay coil is de energized to close.
This is a basic polarity reversing scheme. The coil is energized by the headlight ON power. This is the center connection on the dimmer switch. This wire is also found on the back of the headlight switch. On GM's this wire is yellow in color. 1965 MAY be the earlier black wires with colored stripes, in this case TEST, or use the center connection on the dimmer switch.
When the headlights are ON, relay is energized, and doors open. Internal limit switches cut off motor power when fully open.
When headlights are off, relay coil de energizes, polarity is reversed, doors close. Internal limit switches cut off motor power in closed position.
You want the N.C. contacts to be the CLOSE polarity because the relay coil is de energized to close.
Posted By: Ween
Date Posted: October 04, 2013 at 6:29 PM