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Clueless with relays, some basic q’s

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum 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=57400
Printed Date: May 03, 2024 at 6:26 AM


Topic: Clueless with relays, some basic q’s

Posted By: pearl z
Subject: Clueless with relays, some basic q’s
Date Posted: June 09, 2005 at 9:55 PM

i read through the site and still am basically clueless when it comes to relays.  i know they are like a switch that can be triggered with a small wire but put out considerable more power, right?  i want to eventully run relays to everything on my 1991 camaro (lights, fan, locks, windows, fuel pump and anything else that might need one) but i need ot get better with wiring and i have some questions.

i went out to the junkyard and grabbed some relays out of cars, they are the 5 prong ones....what is the difference between the 5 prong and 4 prong relays and how can you tell what amperage they are rated for????

what i want to start with is running relays to my power windows to try and speed them up, how would i go about connecting one to my window motor (it has only oe pos and one neg wire)???




Replies:

Posted By: auex
Date Posted: June 09, 2005 at 10:07 PM
Grabbing used relays probably isn't the best idea. Also there are a couple of 5 prong relays, SPST and SPDT. You can tell the difference only if the pins are listed on the relay or with a meter. A relay won't help with speeding up the windows. The only thing you can really do is cleaning up the battery terminals and the ground points, and making sure that there is no corrosion on the fuses or in the window switch.

Using relays to run the fan and aftermarket locks aren't a problem. I wouldn't bother using relays for the fuel pump or lights unless you are using aftermarket parts requiring more current.

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Posted By: pearl z
Date Posted: June 09, 2005 at 10:38 PM

well ive read some members of a car site im on did wire up relays and it did help the windows somehow.  i figured it couldnt hurt.  it seems that running bigger wires to the relays and having those relays really helps the voltage to things like the fuel pump and fan and windows.  the fuel pump and fan are aftermarket but my locks are stock. and ive read on madelectrical.com relays help the light output of headlights as well.   heres a link to the site about the windows https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=244823.

but im mainly concerned on the basics of relays...what is the difference between the SPDT and SPST and then the 4 prong relays?????   ive read you can wire up relays very differently but what is the basic way to wire them up (like if i wanted to wire up my window motor) what does each of the 5 terminals connect to??

my relays read 85,86,87,87a, and 30 on the terminals.  does the 30 on the terminal determine 30 amps where 20 on a terminal would be 20 amps etc???  i know junkyard relays might not be the best but i cant find any at a good price and if one is bad or goes bad i can always swap another out.  where can i find some good relays and possibly connectors as well??





Posted By: PuppyDawg
Date Posted: June 11, 2005 at 1:32 PM
pearl z wrote:

well ive read some members of a car site im on did wire up relays and it did help the windows somehow.  i figured it couldnt hurt.  it seems that running bigger wires to the relays and having those relays really helps the voltage to things like the fuel pump and fan and windows.  the fuel pump and fan are aftermarket but my locks are stock. and ive read on madelectrical.com relays help the light output of headlights as well.   heres a link to the site about the windows https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=244823.

but im mainly concerned on the basics of relays...what is the difference between the SPDT and SPST and then the 4 prong relays?????   ive read you can wire up relays very differently but what is the basic way to wire them up (like if i wanted to wire up my window motor) what does each of the 5 terminals connect to??

my relays read 85,86,87,87a, and 30 on the terminals.  does the 30 on the terminal determine 30 amps where 20 on a terminal would be 20 amps etc???  i know junkyard relays might not be the best but i cant find any at a good price and if one is bad or goes bad i can always swap another out.  where can i find some good relays and possibly connectors as well??


check this section out my friend....perhaps...this'll help you with some of your questions you've asked....

https://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp



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*paw print*




Posted By: pearl z
Date Posted: June 11, 2005 at 6:15 PM

that doesnt tell me anything about the different types of relays, doesnt tell me how to tell the amount of amperage a relay is rated for, and tells me sort of what each prong is but since ive already read that a dozen times im still clueless where the + wire of my window motor would connect to and where the - wire would connect to

im sure once i get the hang of them ill underdstand perfectly but its one of those things i just need to pick up and this helps!





Posted By: royman
Date Posted: June 12, 2005 at 8:41 PM
Try this link https://www.relayhelp.com/




Posted By: royman
Date Posted: June 12, 2005 at 8:44 PM
If that doesent help try this one https://www.1728.com/project3.htm




Posted By: pearl z
Date Posted: June 12, 2005 at 9:08 PM

thanks for the links.   i havnt had a chance to really look over them yet but at a glance they look like they are gonna have some useful info.





Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: June 12, 2005 at 9:28 PM

https://www.bcae1.com/

Check this out......



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Posted By: maglin
Date Posted: July 07, 2005 at 10:26 PM
*laughs* this may not pertain to the conversation here, but used relays work just fine. just gotta be a smart shopper. I have a 1969 Opel Gt. Fusebox under the dash. Problem is this - interior of the car is barely big enough for two people under 6'4''. if you're taller, you simply don't fit. needless to say, not much room to be taking up with crap inside. i incorporated - no way! - door lock motors from some old dead ford in the junk yard to unlock my doors in this car (works like a champ) but needed relays to interface with ym remote starter (yes, i customized it to remote start a manual car). So now i have a need for like 8 relays, and no room. Browsed under some hoods at same said junkyard, found that the 1991 Geo Storm has a secondary fuse box with about 7 4 pin relays, and 2 of those dual pole jobbies. In the end, i was able to do all the polarity reversing, remote starting and fusing for all the accesories in a fuse box that mounted in the engine compartment. 1 year later, and still no problems.

~~Vinn





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