Electronics, how do they work?
08-19-2010, 09:41 PM
#41
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Re: Electronics, how do they work?
If you need enough current that you need to run 8 gauge, you shouldn't be running it through a switch. Switches aren't meant to handle that kind of current. If the switch does handle the current you need, you don't need 8 gauge because the current isn't actually that much. Well, or the switch isn't going to last very long without contact erosion and carbon deposits.
Relays can handle a lot more current than a switch, and you can still use your switch to engage the relay coil. The real benefit is (obviously) that you can run a much shorter high current wire between the battery and the fans if you have a relay local to the fans and don't have to run the entire fan current all the way into the passenger compartment and all the way back to the fan. You can easily run smaller wire if it's shorter. There are proper ways to do things, and there are marginally passable ways to do things.
Relays can handle a lot more current than a switch, and you can still use your switch to engage the relay coil. The real benefit is (obviously) that you can run a much shorter high current wire between the battery and the fans if you have a relay local to the fans and don't have to run the entire fan current all the way into the passenger compartment and all the way back to the fan. You can easily run smaller wire if it's shorter. There are proper ways to do things, and there are marginally passable ways to do things.
08-19-2010, 09:56 PM
#42
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Re: Electronics, how do they work?
If you need enough current that you need to run 8 gauge, you shouldn't be running it through a switch. Switches aren't meant to handle that kind of current. If the switch does handle the current you need, you don't need 8 gauge because the current isn't actually that much. Well, or the switch isn't going to last very long without contact erosion and carbon deposits.
Relays can handle a lot more current than a switch, and you can still use your switch to engage the relay coil. The real benefit is (obviously) that you can run a much shorter high current wire between the battery and the fans if you have a relay local to the fans and don't have to run the entire fan current all the way into the passenger compartment and all the way back to the fan. You can easily run smaller wire if it's shorter. There are proper ways to do things, and there are marginally passable ways to do things.
Relays can handle a lot more current than a switch, and you can still use your switch to engage the relay coil. The real benefit is (obviously) that you can run a much shorter high current wire between the battery and the fans if you have a relay local to the fans and don't have to run the entire fan current all the way into the passenger compartment and all the way back to the fan. You can easily run smaller wire if it's shorter. There are proper ways to do things, and there are marginally passable ways to do things.
Works fine for me, and it was junk wire I had laying around from some other project.
Theres no need to put so much thought into something so simple. K.I.S.S.
08-19-2010, 10:18 PM
#44
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Re: Electronics, how do they work?
Fabrik8, what wattage would headlamps have to be to benefit from relays vs going through the switch? (consider that they're H4 bulbs, so turning on the high beam shuts off the low beam)
08-19-2010, 10:19 PM
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08-19-2010, 10:22 PM
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08-19-2010, 10:22 PM
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Re: Electronics, how do they work?
You can rig whatever you want on your own car, I'm just saying you don't sound like the best person to give electrical advice based on what you've said so far.
Last edited by Fabrik8; 08-19-2010 at 10:29 PM.
08-19-2010, 10:31 PM
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Re: Electronics, how do they work?
Yeah because its so much more work then any other size wire.
08-19-2010, 10:37 PM
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Re: Electronics, how do they work?
Did I say anything that will cause harm or damage to his vehicle?
I guess Jay knows nothing either because he said he'd run 8ga, then split to each compressor.
Op knows nothing even though he said he was going to run 8 ga.
I shouldnt give advice because Fabrik8 says so.
08-19-2010, 10:38 PM
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