Starter Relay - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC1967 · 08-06-2002, 07:48 PM

What exactly does a relay do? Not just specifically for a starter.

red71cheyenne · 08-06-2002, 07:50 PM

A relay is a device that has the ability to be turned on and off and while doing so closes or opens one or more sets of contacts. Basically a switch that you control with one source of voltage to control another device. Jeff.

Longhorn Man · 08-06-2002, 08:14 PM

To make it easier to understand... you are using a low amount of amps to signal a large amp curcuit to work.
Kinda like the little girly man boss tellin the big cornbread fed guys to go do something.
You just gotta love my analogies huh?

bigjimzlll · 08-06-2002, 08:17 PM

hehe nice analogy...think of it as a switch thats controled by voltage

RON WOODGEARD · 08-06-2002, 08:44 PM

Everyones answer is right, the only thing I'll add is it works to send amperage through a smaller wire to a larger wire.. So if you say have a series of off road lights on a circuit that would take an 8 guage wire to carry the amperage through. You can hook a 18 gauge wire from your toggle switch to a "RELAY" and the relay takes the brunt of the amps and all in 8 gauge wire that you don't have to run into your cab to a switch.

I run relays on my headlights, The juice comes from a wire directly off of the alternator. it gives much better voltage to the bulbs which of course makes them brighter. If anyone doubts this take a voltage test on the headlight wire at the headlight.. IT WON'T BE 12 VOLTS.....

RON

Longhorn Man · 08-06-2002, 09:44 PM

Yeah, i plan on doing that on the Longhorn when the clip goes back on it. My only question is though, do you do one relay for both low beams, and one for each high beam, or do you need one for each setting on each bulb? Also, where did you get your relays Ron?

RON WOODGEARD · 08-07-2002, 01:27 AM

There is a couple of ways to go on relays, DICK CEPEK makes a real nice double relay, easy to wire and heavy duty..Also it is internally fused with a replaceable fuse. the other way is to go to any auto parts store and if you find a countersales person worth their salt you can tell them what your doing and they can lead you to one. I hooked up both of my high beams to one and both low beams to another. I was under 10 volts at the lights before I did it and it reallly brought the lights to life.(I ran a wire straight from the alternator to the relays and then the wires from the light switch ran the relays) I was running CIB'IE halogens with 100 watters in them and it made a big difference.

Let me know if I can help with any questions when you're ready to do it..

RON

Longhorn Man · 08-07-2002, 07:28 AM

Thanks boss...this is actually something I've wanted to do for a long time now.

Huck · 08-07-2002, 07:40 AM

Andy, looks like you turned over another rock with something interesting coming out---relays to control headlights---GREAT idea. I had them on my KC lights on a jeep way back when and am aware of their benefits but didn't think in terms of old crappy trucks---. Perhaps we can maybe get a drawing or two to help us old folks -----especially as it might apply to setup on a single wire altinator?? Now if we can also find a way to brighten the dash lights as they are also a little dimmer then I would like ---or is it my eyes getting old?? Checked the ground etc. but ~~~~.

Longhorn Man · 08-07-2002, 05:05 PM

Well, for the relays, you just use the wire that powers your lights as i sits now, and wire up the rest of the relay as per instructions (I have yet to do this...so i am not sure on "the rest" of the wireing)
As for the dash lights, i disasembled my guage assembly and everything that is that funky greenish hue, got painted flat white. It shines MUCh brighter...then I put blue bilbs in and it is still brighter, and a little on the cool side. (the blue bils work well with balck guage faces too...the Longhorn is done up like so)
As for the one wire deal...I'm not a huge fan of them, so i have never looked into how they are wired...no help from me on that one.

6869704X4 · 08-07-2002, 05:47 PM

One more thing. Relays can fail and leave you without lights.
If you just use one relay and the relay fails you dont have lights unless its a "failsafe" relay.
Rons got the right idea in that if one relay fails he can drive home on the other beams or swap relays.

chevyman 68 C/10 · 08-07-2002, 10:10 PM

Thanks alot guys, one more thing to do to my truck.

08-06-2002, 07:48 PM	#1
GMC1967 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Deerfield, MA Posts: 162	Starter Relay What exactly does a relay do? Not just specifically for a starter. __________________ 1967 GMC Custom 8ft Fleetside 292 L6, 4spd. 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible 455, TH 400 1969 F#$% Bronco 302, 3spd 4.11's 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 Fiesta Wagon

08-06-2002, 07:50 PM	#2
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	A relay is a device that has the ability to be turned on and off and while doing so closes or opens one or more sets of contacts. Basically a switch that you control with one source of voltage to control another device. Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

08-06-2002, 08:17 PM	#4
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	hehe nice analogy...think of it as a switch thats controled by voltage __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

08-06-2002, 08:44 PM	#5
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	RELAY Everyones answer is right, the only thing I'll add is it works to send amperage through a smaller wire to a larger wire.. So if you say have a series of off road lights on a circuit that would take an 8 guage wire to carry the amperage through. You can hook a 18 gauge wire from your toggle switch to a "RELAY" and the relay takes the brunt of the amps and all in 8 gauge wire that you don't have to run into your cab to a switch. I run relays on my headlights, The juice comes from a wire directly off of the alternator. it gives much better voltage to the bulbs which of course makes them brighter. If anyone doubts this take a voltage test on the headlight wire at the headlight.. IT WON'T BE 12 VOLTS..... RON

08-07-2002, 05:47 PM	#11
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	One more thing. Relays can fail and leave you without lights. If you just use one relay and the relay fails you dont have lights unless its a "failsafe" relay. Rons got the right idea in that if one relay fails he can drive home on the other beams or swap relays. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

08-06-2002, 08:14 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	To make it easier to understand... you are using a low amount of amps to signal a large amp curcuit to work. Kinda like the little girly man boss tellin the big cornbread fed guys to go do something. You just gotta love my analogies huh?

08-06-2002, 09:44 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yeah, i plan on doing that on the Longhorn when the clip goes back on it. My only question is though, do you do one relay for both low beams, and one for each high beam, or do you need one for each setting on each bulb? Also, where did you get your relays Ron?

08-07-2002, 01:27 AM	#7
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	There is a couple of ways to go on relays, DICK CEPEK makes a real nice double relay, easy to wire and heavy duty..Also it is internally fused with a replaceable fuse. the other way is to go to any auto parts store and if you find a countersales person worth their salt you can tell them what your doing and they can lead you to one. I hooked up both of my high beams to one and both low beams to another. I was under 10 volts at the lights before I did it and it reallly brought the lights to life.(I ran a wire straight from the alternator to the relays and then the wires from the light switch ran the relays) I was running CIB'IE halogens with 100 watters in them and it made a big difference. Let me know if I can help with any questions when you're ready to do it.. RON

08-07-2002, 07:28 AM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Thanks boss...this is actually something I've wanted to do for a long time now.

08-07-2002, 07:40 AM	#9
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Andy, looks like you turned over another rock with something interesting coming out---relays to control headlights---GREAT idea. I had them on my KC lights on a jeep way back when and am aware of their benefits but didn't think in terms of old crappy trucks---. Perhaps we can maybe get a drawing or two to help us old folks -----especially as it might apply to setup on a single wire altinator?? Now if we can also find a way to brighten the dash lights as they are also a little dimmer then I would like ---or is it my eyes getting old?? Checked the ground etc. but ~~~~.

08-07-2002, 05:05 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Well, for the relays, you just use the wire that powers your lights as i sits now, and wire up the rest of the relay as per instructions (I have yet to do this...so i am not sure on "the rest" of the wireing) As for the dash lights, i disasembled my guage assembly and everything that is that funky greenish hue, got painted flat white. It shines MUCh brighter...then I put blue bilbs in and it is still brighter, and a little on the cool side. (the blue bils work well with balck guage faces too...the Longhorn is done up like so) As for the one wire deal...I'm not a huge fan of them, so i have never looked into how they are wired...no help from me on that one.

08-07-2002, 10:10 PM	#12
chevyman 68 C/10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Gilmer, Texas USA Posts: 313	Thanks alot guys, one more thing to do to my truck. __________________ 69 Chevy short fleet side soon to have LT1 and 4L60E pb. ps cruise and air. 68 Chevy short fleet side 400 sb 5 inch chop top pb. ps. pw. 350 auto and shaved handles 68 anniversary no engine long wheel base 400 auto FOR SALE 68 Chevy fleet side long wheel base complete parts truck.



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