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Needing Some Insight On Wiring

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Old 05-25-2012, 03:31 PM
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Default Needing Some Insight On Wiring

Im kind of a newb when it comes to wiring in general, so Id like to ask a couple questions before I tackle wiring up my fogs.

What does a relay do exactly, and is it necessary that I use one?
Where is a popular spot to tap into to get power?

I already have a switch installed, as well as the fog lights themselves. I just need to get them wired up.

Anyone?
Old 05-25-2012, 04:01 PM
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a relay is used to handle the load of the switch. Say you have a micro switch rated for 0.5 amps. Your fog lights are pulling 20amps. That switch isnt gonna do anything but melt.
So you use the switch to trigger the relay, the relay is a Electromagnet, when you send power to it the coil energizes and pulls a Arm that creates contact between poles 30 and 87.
Where poles 85 and 86 are your trigger.




BASICALLY:
Relays allow a small amount of current to control a large amount of current flowing in a separate circuit.

Last edited by nonnieselman; 05-25-2012 at 04:16 PM.
Old 05-25-2012, 04:04 PM
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http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm

Last edited by nonnieselman; 05-25-2012 at 04:10 PM.
Old 05-25-2012, 05:26 PM
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U could run a power wire with appropriate sized in line fuse from the battery. Theres a lot of places to get power but that would be a good starting point and you could always jump from that switch if u needed power for something else down the road
Old 05-25-2012, 07:50 PM
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Relays allow a small amount of current to control a large amount of current flowing in a separate circuit.
Gotcha, Thanks!

U could run a power wire with appropriate sized in line fuse from the battery
How do you determine an appropriate sized in line fuse?


Theres already a relay ran, but what happened was when I was swapping to matching HID's the (2) bare wires touched and now neither side works. So since I didnt know squat about relays, I was just gonna find power and run a wire straight. I guess when the wires touched it fried the relay?

Name:  2012-04-29_13-43-20_967.jpg
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What is this? Its where the wire from the switch is going. Idk what to call it, but the compartment is right behind my parking brake. I know there are fuse boxes on the drivers side end of the dash and under the hood, but when I was tracing the wires TRYING to find where I lost power at, I didnt know what ^that^ compartment was

Last edited by SampsonSimpsonZ; 05-25-2012 at 07:58 PM.
Old 05-25-2012, 08:04 PM
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To find the size it should say in the paperwork for the lights and it will tell u how many amps. Thats the fuse size. Most 55w lights take a 15 amp fuse and they usually pull around 10. Does that make sense?
Old 05-25-2012, 08:11 PM
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Most 55w lights take a 15 amp fuse and they usually pull around 10
Ok cool. So if my ballast are 35w a 15amp fuse should be suffice?
Old 05-25-2012, 08:20 PM
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Well a 15 amp would be too much. Prolly google what amps a 35w ballast takes and go from there i cant recall rigjt off hand what they take i just did 55ws not long ago so i remembered
Old 05-25-2012, 08:49 PM
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Ok cool... did you see the pic I uploaded? Got any info on what that is exactly?
Old 05-25-2012, 09:30 PM
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On the backside of the fuse box there's relays for lights and turn signals and wnatnot. I can't say exactly what all tht is what truck are you workin on


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