MaddoxPics
New member
Contacted them, theirs comes with a relay so the lightbar should be fine.
MICTuning Switch Melting?
- Thread starter MaddoxPics
- Start date
Contacted them, theirs comes with a relay so the lightbar should be fine.
WanderlostOverland
New member
Mistakes happen. We're very happy you found the problem and things turned out well for you. Sending too many amps through those weak dash switches is a major cause of vehicle fires.
CF_Machete
Senior Member
I'm guessing there was some drinking involved as well, :beer: Glad it wasn't worse than a melted switch.
damthemainstream
New member
Is there any particular make/model you find those in most often?
On Point
New member
Old Cadillacs have the Bosch relays.
A lot of 90's GM vehicles have the Orion which are made in Canada.
I take those and the mounting brackets whenever I'm in the junkyard. Good to have a few lying around the garage.
Bumbo
New member
You are I are not on the same page.
Just for future reference...
A lighting accessory that comes with a wiring harness that includes a relay, is VERY different, than the light having a "built-in" or internal relay...
My original statement still holds true... I have never seen a typical 12v accessory with a built in / internal relay.
You mentioned "built in relay"... The Baja Designs lights have a 2 pin connector on the light, you would need at the bare minimum of 3 in order to even consider having an internal relay.
Unfortunately the point I was trying to make got lost in translation.
Glad you were able to get down to the bottom of it... its an easy fix.
Last edited:
Bumbo
New member
These things are available everywhere... just google "waterproof relay"
I think its worth mentioning that there are generally 2 parts to a waterproof / weather proof relay setup.
The base with the wires, and the relay itself are both waterproof.
Example:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI8a--hc2C2QIVj4jICh2SVg8sEAQYBSABEgKUPPD_BwE
They can also be purchase individually.
The relay you choose simply needs to be able to handle the max current of that circuit...
The only other decision you MIGHT have to make is if you want that relay NO or NC. (normally open, or normally closed) but most can be wired either way.
MaddoxPics
New member
Yeah I guess I literally am lost and didn't explain or say it correctly. Totally lost when it comes to this stuff I have to admit.
Bumbo
New member
It’s all good… We are all here to learn…
Ill try and break it down and simplify why this stuff is important.
A switch is just like a light switch in your home, its used to turn something on and off.
A relay is also a switch, but it’s a switch that can be controlled by another switch. Consider it a remotely controlled switch.
Not all switches are equal, some can handle more power than others.
When you have an accessory like your lights, they use a lot more power than a little switch can deal with. Because of that you need a relay, which is capable of handling all the power.
So you use a little switch, with little wires, to control a bigger switch, with bigger wires.
The power for the lights, never actually pass though the little switch. It is only used to signal to the bigger switch, to turn on/off.
In the below image, the power for the lights only pass though Pins 30 and 87.
Pin 85 is the input / signal from the little switch to tell the relay to open/close the connection between pins 30 and 87
The power for the little switch can come from any available 12-volt source. Tapping off the interior fuse panel is very common. Tapping off something that is ignition control ensures the lights turn on/off with the KEY, so if you accidentally left something on, it turns off, when you key off.
Last edited:
damthemainstream
New member
These things are available everywhere... just google "waterproof relay"
I think its worth mentioning that there are generally 2 parts to a waterproof / weather proof relay setup.
The base with the wires, and the relay itself are both waterproof.
Example:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI8a--hc2C2QIVj4jICh2SVg8sEAQYBSABEgKUPPD_BwE
They can also be purchase individually.
The relay you choose simply needs to be able to handle the max current of that circuit...
The only other decision you MIGHT have to make is if you want that relay NO or NC. (normally open, or normally closed) but most can be wired either way.
I'm familiar with waterproof relays in general, but I was asking specifically about where to look the next time I'm cruising a scrapyard.
On Point
New member
depends on the car. either along the firewall at the top or on the driver/passenger fenders. hard to miss, as they are typically all mounted with each other on a long bracket.
