Relay mounting

[rmrc]

I'm looking for a box, tray, enclosure or some kind of mounting for three to four relays for after market lights and accessories.



How and where are some of you installing your electric relays?

 

[BRobertson]

Radio Shack has water resistant boxes of various sizes. I believe they call them project boxes. I usually mount mine with 1/4" stainless bolts in existing holes in the frame.

Bob

 

[Dane]

Good idea on the water proof box for the relays



I was using a relay to control my KC Daylighters that I had mounted inside the engine compartment in a spot where it would be in the wind for cooling (Daylighters are 330 watts total)



I was washing my truck and was spraying the bugs off the grill when suddenly I heard the sound of bacon frying



Next smoke started wisping from under the hood and my Daylighters started flashing



I got the hood open and saw the relay was melting! Ran and got some wire cutters and clipped the hot wire.



Now the new relay is tucked up where no water can get to it

 

[Joe G.]

I also use Radioshack project boxes. There are rubber grommets available for the necessary holes for the wires to come out. I mount mine so the holes are down so that if any water does manage to get in the damage will be minimal.

 

[dresslered]

Dane-

Do you always wash your truck with 330 Watts of power or was this a night job? Also, make sure that you are using at least a 50-amp relay for these babies! Maybe separate relays would be a better approach as you can get some DC arcing on the contacts.

 

[tractorface]

www.waytekwire.com



The link above is for Waytek Inc. They sell Automotive type wiring supplies including OEM type relays and other professional goodies usually not found at the local Pep Boys. I do not have any additional relays in my CTD but I have used an OEM relay/fuse box from a wrecked Isuzu Trooper (91 or earlier) on another project I did. It worked out well and it has a clear cover for easy viewing.

 

[Dane]

David,

Nope, the Daylighters just lit up all by themselves, headlights off. I was gettin skeered I was gonna need a priest or something



I have them wired direct to the battery (with a fuse) triggered by the high beams.



I'm gonna take your advice when I get back to re-bombing my aux lighting. Got a source for 50 amp relays?

 

[tractorface]

http://order.waytekwire.com/IMAGES/catalog/214_45.PDF



50A and 75A Relays.

 

[Dane]

Thanks, got em on order...

 

[dresslered]

Oh, I'm too late. You live in the heart of the Silicon Valley, Dane! Haltek Electronics in Sunnyvale has hundreds of surplus relays. I bought a whole bag of Bosch relays for $2. 00 ea. Can't have too many relays.