In my'88 Crown Vic, I used relays to switch the polarity of the door lock/unlock wires in order to use the features of a remote start. Very useful video in terms of explaining how these guys work.
Always remember on socket 30 is Battery + and 87,87a are outputs. Don't mess and put battery + on 87,87a and 30 output to your amps etc. It will work in most times the same but not for long, i saw a lot of relays fired because of that. And on some relays it will not work because they have protection diode. The right current flow is always from 30 -> 87,87a! Happy new year.
I never would've thought to wire lights up that way. Thanks for going in-depth with the explanation on exactly why it works! I sure found it interesting.
Hi there, what you are sharing is all and more than what i live for. Im a sound fanatic. Im currently busy with a few installs and i will have to try some of this. Thanks for this.
I have not used a relay, but have had trouble in the past with splitting 1 remote turn on to multiple amps. I plan on adding 2 amps to my existing 500d, exactly what I wanted to learn about thanks CAF!! Woo hoo summers almost here!!!
One of the best things about this wonderfully produced and clearly explained video is that it's not just useful for car audio but electronics knowledge in general. I've been looking into Arduino and other tech project ideas and this was one of the best explanations of how relays worked I've seen. Thank you.
wow thank you mark! this is exactly what i needed. my jl audio hd amps have been giving me a orange/green rappid blinking light whenever i turn up the volume. it started this when i connected an audio control epicenter to the hd750/1 so i figured remote power was the issue since i have both amps, LC6I and epicenter connected to the same remote wire that only gives about 11.5 volts or so.
High current relays can also be connected between the starting battery and additional amp batteries. The relay coil is normally open and is connected to the ignition key run position wire (not the accessory position wire). When the engine is running the alternator will charge the additional batteries but with the engine off the amp batteries are disconnected from the starting battery. No chance of killing your starting battery listening to music parked. You may have to use several relays in parallel to handle enough current to recharge the amp batteries you've installed.
This is great for boats and RVs, but the drop across these relays is significant when under load so they don't mesh well with CA especially with HO alts. The last few I've used (on my boat) were resulting in .5-1.5v of drop across them and I ran 2-4 200a isolators (tried Stinger and PAC) before I dumped them for a manual switch. On the average stock alternator this means that you only supplying 12.1-13.9v when you could be supplying 13.6-14.4. Isolators have serious drawbacks in this kind of application and unless the result of a dead battery is being stuck out on the lake or out in the woods you're better off just watching your battery. Either which way though your post is 100% spot on, I would just suggest against it and while I can't remember the reason they had I do remember a few of the HO alt manufacturers suggesting against them as well (DC, Mechman, Powermaster, and...).
UnderLoK There should not have been a voltage drop across the switched relay leads. Only 2 things I can think of is you were either running solid state isolators (not a good idea due to the junction drop of 0.7V ish) or you were running your aux. batteries way down and when the relay engaged you were pushing way over the relay rating due to the starting battery dumping full output current into the aux. batteries directly. The combined relay current in parallel must be well over the max of your alternator or starting battery, which ever is greater. In CA when a large number of aux batteries is used you can't charge them up from really low with the alternator, it will damage the alternator. For this reason you should run an auto resetting circuit breaker and install a manual kill switch to prevent the charging relay from kicking in. Multiple aux batteries should be charged by a trickle charger until they are charged far enough that the alternator won't be over current trying to charge them. When your battery warning light trips on your dash because the circuit breaker tripped, you hit the kill switch so the aux. batteries won't charge. Then you know you need to charge them up with the trickle charger. My 2 cents about what you experienced and how to deal with it. Of course a manual switch works but you still need the circuit breaker so you don't damage your alternator.
I like how you explain the use of relays. I use them all the time. In my current build I have one that controls my fans, volt meter,processor and amps turning on
I just wanted to relay to your this was a great video. I replayed it several times so what you said was reinstated. Do you hear what I'm trying to say? Keep da haters at bay and don't dismay...Time for me to step away and that's all I'm gonna say
CarAudioFabrication I have 4 amplifiers and an epicenter all connected to the turn on lead from the stereo..my question is its working just fine. So why should I use a relay?? Will it mess up my equipment if I dont use a relay?? And how many relays do I need to power on 4 amps and an epicenter??? Thanks
Another RUclips legend here so while I'm in a commenting mood: BigDWiz I have to say thanks to you as well. You guys made my choosing product and making it work correctly and not look like trash a lot more laborious! Thanks for making everything we Fab on our own look bad and BDW thanks for making it so much harder to settle on b.s. product. Now I have no time or money but my trunk looks so good. Too bad nobody sees it! Lol you guys are great. Thanks for the videos. See it's years later and you're still making a difference. That is legacy. Thanks again.
Thanks Mark! I have used relays for lots of things in cars... I have made a security system from them, I have made starter kills from them, used them for door poppers, for turning on headlights with an alarm, for controlling a trunk release with alarm...etc
ive used them in numerous installs for stuff from stepping up voltage, to reversing it... i think one of the more fun things ive done with them is wiring 3 together to create a retained acc power to keep the radio on till you open the door (like a lot of newer vehicles have stock)
Oh and I've used relays for fans, lights and other high load electrical components. Also I made a buzzer circuit with two but idr the schematic... now I've gotta work on thay
I'm in a Motors and Controls, and this is something we've been doing a lot of in class. Relays are used in MANY applications you can even use a combination of them to create a timer. My simple explanation of what a Relay is a coil of wire that controls a set of contacts. This set of contacts Changes state from Open to Closed when the coil is Energized. Hope this helped.
Hey Mark fantastic video. Thanks for helping me understand relays more. I have used a relay a few times, mostly with wiring leds, or HID kits. I also had to use one in my trunk when setting up my actuator that moves my Super Nintendo remotes up and down. pretty sweet
well done mark. I see your always watching,,,i see you post videos of things people ask about. thanks and keep up the hard work. it took a while to pay off but it always will with hard work.
Yes this was a great understanding of the use of a relay. For example what size fuse would you use to wire a relay to turn on 3 amps, like you explained using the remote wire from your head unit as your switch? Thx for your feedback and keep up the good work. Peace.
I made a amp rack with 2 Amplifiers and im using a relay connected to my cigarette lighter for the accessorie and they really blast for hours and they only get warm. And i love it i enjou your videos and OLD SCHOOL. Bigdwiss too you guys rock
Hey Mark! I just want to say that I'm in college for electrical engineering and this explanation was better than my college professor's. Keep up the good work!
Good vid. I've been using relays for years, sometimes for car audio, but mainly for custom alarm functions. Stuff like door/trunk poppers, auto window rollups, remote start, turbo timer, the list goes on. The uses for relays is really up to your imagination.
Mark really great information and I used a relay on ford T6 ranger for the morimoto LED angel eyes. I took the signal from the park lights, constant battery battery of course and park light switch on led active, BOOM!
Thank you very much for making this video. I kind of feel like a tard for not using these now. All your information is very detailed and easy to understand. Very much appreciated!!
Good explanation Mark, thank you. I understood relays already but this was interesting.. I always wire 30 to battery positive and 87 to output, 87A is just a "through " so constantly live. I use them for wiring spot lights and hooters (horns) but also in AC applications where they're known as contactors. Keep up the great work!
Great video. Please make a video about crossflow fans vs mini fans. Install locations, reason for fans, etc. there are no videos on RUclips explaining this. I watch all of your videos I am think they are freaking awesome!!
Oh, and by the way. Back when i was an installer in the late 80"s, I used a total of 6 relays to make my car start way before alarms came out with remote start. I used the secondary output (trunk Pop, negative trigger) to Start the car and Stepping on the brakes before you put your key in ignition would break the cycle and cut the engine off. It was cool as Heck!
Hey Mark, It's Razuuk004 (SMD Forum) Victor. Great Video But I have an Idea for you so you can expand on this video for your followers and how they can use relays on other applications for future installers that are watching. You can expand by showing how to use 2 relays on an alarm installation for which the door lock system uses Reverse Polarity to Lock and Unlock the doors with the signal from the Alarm Brain. (Positive from Relay 1 and Negative from Relay 2 to Lock, And Negative from Relay 1 and Positive from Relay 2 to Unlock.) Maybe it is something that someone out there might want explained and it teaches more in dept the function(s) of a relay.
You know, right after your video I have totally understood how does it works! And answering your question, I can say that there are cars that have no ACC mode so relay are very usefull to immitate it switching for car stereo the right time I need! Thanks a lot!
Going to use a relay for amp turn on, and also for extra 12v accessories like cooling fans, etc/ Probably wouldn't have figured this out until after my install if I hadn't come across your vid's.
Thanks for the video! I don't plan on a relay in CAF so much as (at least in the future) "fog" or "bar" lights on this dune-buggy project I've taken on. You'd probably be pretty interested in it as I plan on doing a little audio fabrication as well to have some killer tunes while tearing up the trails.
Starting a long term project, already started on the mechanical go fast stuff but need something else besides engine noise. The first step is going to be tearing out the jenkily installed half functional single din flip up, going with a simple Pioneer head unit, replacing the stock blown speakers with much better amplified units, adding two tweeters (it's a two door) and two twelve inch subs. I'll be running two separate amps, one for the mids/ highs, and one for the subs. Even the audio is going stealth. Amp cut switch, tucked wires, stock speaker grills. Not going for a competition system, just a well rounded one.
very insightful. haven't used one til now but im going to get one today for my amps and leds. As usual great job! would you recommend connecting directly to the battery or to one of the fuses in the fuse box?
You should do a fused run of properly sized cable from your battery to a fused distribution block. Run from that to another distribution block or directly to the relay. Do NOT tap into a fuse in the fuse block.
The only relay I have used so far was to allow my indash to play dvds without having to put on the parking brake. Now I can ride around with music videos playing, passengers love it
This really needs an update. Where did you get them? Are there different sizes? What fuse should one use with a certain relay or does that matter? Maybe show the entire diagram with real world applications... If I where a newbie I would say "I'm not going to use a relay because you only teased me and I'm scared. I don't have flood insurance. hehe.
Don't forget to put a diode across the coil in reverse polarity to prevent back emf from damaging your electronics attached to the relay. It's common practice for all relays so I'm guessing it's important for car audio too.
Awesome explanaition on the function of relays/use......now i wonder if i cam use a relay to lower and raise my power windows with a push of my alarm button...hmmmm?
Might mention that the activation of the coil can send out a large electromagnetic pulse so it is a good idea to keep the relay away from RCA signal cables. Of course, if the autosound industry would go "all-in" with optical or balanced-line signal cables, induced noise would be a thing of the past.
Great information! I am in the process of upgrading my system and my next step is to run 0 gauge and install one of those KNF60 distribution blocks so that I can start adding amplifiers as I am able to afford them. At 2:08 you show a great shot of your KnuKonceptz distribution blocks and a bus bar. Can you explain what is going in in that shot? Can the relay be used to turn on LEDs? How do you fuse them?
Relay vs Fuse box....whats the main difference. The benefits of one over the other or both together? Trying to wiring something up with a Blue Sea fuse box.
I have 15 relays in my car so far. 8 to control the power windows (4 windows, 1 relay for up and 1 for down on each window. then one master relay to juice up all the window relays.) then 1 ignition relay to run my gauges and 1 accessory relay to turn on my deck and volt meter. 2 for the power door locks. one more for interior lighting so when you open the door, the foot wells have light in them and is easy to see at night. then the last one is for trunk lighting so I can see in my tool boxes at night...
@@CarAudioFabrication Respectfully, that’s not a number. How much current flow can a head unit provide through the remote circuit (on average)? How much current demand does the remote circuit on amps and DSP draw (on average)? Thanks for your reply.
Great video. I will be doing an install and am weak at wiring. My head unit does not have a remote out. It is powered by a ACC/switch wire that turns it on with the key. I will be powering two amps and a cooling fan behind a thermo sensor. How would a relay be implemented without a remote hu wire if I want the amps and fan to turn off/on with the head unit?
In my'88 Crown Vic, I used relays to switch the polarity of the door lock/unlock wires in order to use the features of a remote start. Very useful video in terms of explaining how these guys work.
Always remember on socket 30 is Battery + and 87,87a are outputs. Don't mess and put battery + on 87,87a and 30 output to your amps etc. It will work in most times the same but not for long, i saw a lot of relays fired because of that. And on some relays it will not work because they have protection diode. The right current flow is always from 30 -> 87,87a!
Happy new year.
This is how I learned also, but I know it will work either way, but I always learned the constant 12v pos (load side) went to terminal 30. Thanks!
So your saying this guy is wrong right? Because he said to hook constant to 87.
I never would've thought to wire lights up that way. Thanks for going in-depth with the explanation on exactly why it works! I sure found it interesting.
Hi there, what you are sharing is all and more than what i live for. Im a sound fanatic. Im currently busy with a few installs and i will have to try some of this. Thanks for this.
I have not used a relay, but have had trouble in the past with splitting 1 remote turn on to multiple amps. I plan on adding 2 amps to my existing 500d, exactly what I wanted to learn about thanks CAF!! Woo hoo summers almost here!!!
One of the best things about this wonderfully produced and clearly explained video is that it's not just useful for car audio but electronics knowledge in general. I've been looking into Arduino and other tech project ideas and this was one of the best explanations of how relays worked I've seen. Thank you.
just watched 5 different vids on how to wire a relay. This one is by far the best one!!!
Ron JL White
he forgot to explain what a Henry is. :p
wow thank you mark! this is exactly what i needed. my jl audio hd amps have been giving me a orange/green rappid blinking light whenever i turn up the volume. it started this when i connected an audio control epicenter to the hd750/1 so i figured remote power was the issue since i have both amps, LC6I and epicenter connected to the same remote wire that only gives about 11.5 volts or so.
Brooo!!! Never stop what you are doing! Your videos change the world for craftsmen such as us.
High current relays can also be connected between the starting battery and additional amp batteries. The relay coil is normally open and is connected to the ignition key run position wire (not the accessory position wire). When the engine is running the alternator will charge the additional batteries but with the engine off the amp batteries are disconnected from the starting battery. No chance of killing your starting battery listening to music parked. You may have to use several relays in parallel to handle enough current to recharge the amp batteries you've installed.
This is great for boats and RVs, but the drop across these relays is significant when under load so they don't mesh well with CA especially with HO alts. The last few I've used (on my boat) were resulting in .5-1.5v of drop across them and I ran 2-4 200a isolators (tried Stinger and PAC) before I dumped them for a manual switch. On the average stock alternator this means that you only supplying 12.1-13.9v when you could be supplying 13.6-14.4. Isolators have serious drawbacks in this kind of application and unless the result of a dead battery is being stuck out on the lake or out in the woods you're better off just watching your battery.
Either which way though your post is 100% spot on, I would just suggest against it and while I can't remember the reason they had I do remember a few of the HO alt manufacturers suggesting against them as well (DC, Mechman, Powermaster, and...).
UnderLoK There should not have been a voltage drop across the switched relay leads. Only 2 things I can think of is you were either running solid state isolators (not a good idea due to the junction drop of 0.7V ish) or you were running your aux. batteries way down and when the relay engaged you were pushing way over the relay rating due to the starting battery dumping full output current into the aux. batteries directly. The combined relay current in parallel must be well over the max of your alternator or starting battery, which ever is greater.
In CA when a large number of aux batteries is used you can't charge them up from really low with the alternator, it will damage the alternator. For this reason you should run an auto resetting circuit breaker and install a manual kill switch to prevent the charging relay from kicking in. Multiple aux batteries should be charged by a trickle charger until they are charged far enough that the alternator won't be over current trying to charge them.
When your battery warning light trips on your dash because the circuit breaker tripped, you hit the kill switch so the aux. batteries won't charge. Then you know you need to charge them up with the trickle charger.
My 2 cents about what you experienced and how to deal with it. Of course a manual switch works but you still need the circuit breaker so you don't damage your alternator.
Very helpful using it to power up my amps and cooling fan
I like how you explain the use of relays. I use them all the time. In my current build I have one that controls my fans, volt meter,processor and amps turning on
I'm running 2 scv 4ks and 2 rf power series 400.4s pluse fans and leds... getting ready to install and this video answered all my questions
I just wanted to relay to your this was a great video. I replayed it several times so what you said was reinstated. Do you hear what I'm trying to say? Keep da haters at bay and don't dismay...Time for me to step away and that's all I'm gonna say
Oh man! Let me drop a beat! Bmmmmmmmph, chica chica bmmmmmmmph.
Good work on the explanation. I spend so much time explaining relays to people and despite how simple they seem, it's very intimidating for most.
CarAudioFabrication I have 4 amplifiers and an epicenter all connected to the turn on lead from the stereo..my question is its working just fine. So why should I use a relay?? Will it mess up my equipment if I dont use a relay?? And how many relays do I need to power on 4 amps and an epicenter??? Thanks
+TheRudy1629 yes you can damage equipment, and 1 relay is enough. but not sure how many amps is enoughm
Another RUclips legend here so while I'm in a commenting mood: BigDWiz I have to say thanks to you as well. You guys made my choosing product and making it work correctly and not look like trash a lot more laborious! Thanks for making everything we Fab on our own look bad and BDW thanks for making it so much harder to settle on b.s. product. Now I have no time or money but my trunk looks so good. Too bad nobody sees it! Lol you guys are great. Thanks for the videos. See it's years later and you're still making a difference. That is legacy. Thanks again.
Just purchased a relay to prepare for a 4 channel amp I will be installing in addition to my hifonics mono block! Thanks for the help!!
Thanks Mark! I have used relays for lots of things in cars... I have made a security system from them, I have made starter kills from them, used them for door poppers, for turning on headlights with an alarm, for controlling a trunk release with alarm...etc
ive used them in numerous installs for stuff from stepping up voltage, to reversing it... i think one of the more fun things ive done with them is wiring 3 together to create a retained acc power to keep the radio on till you open the door (like a lot of newer vehicles have stock)
Fog lights and LED Ive used relays for. You are still making great videos!!!
Already knew about relays, but I'm definitely gonna use this video to teach others. Thanks!
Oh and I've used relays for fans, lights and other high load electrical components. Also I made a buzzer circuit with two but idr the schematic... now I've gotta work on thay
I'm in a Motors and Controls, and this is something we've been doing a lot of in class. Relays are used in MANY applications you can even use a combination of them to create a timer. My simple explanation of what a Relay is a coil of wire that controls a set of contacts. This set of contacts Changes state from Open to Closed when the coil is Energized. Hope this helped.
Hey Mark fantastic video. Thanks for helping me understand relays more. I have used a relay a few times, mostly with wiring leds, or HID kits. I also had to use one in my trunk when setting up my actuator that moves my Super Nintendo remotes up and down. pretty sweet
Cool video Mark! This will help many new people with their installs in the 12 volt world.
I hope so, this video was very basic, just trying to help people establish a foundation of knowledge, thanks for watching!
I've used relays for lights, actuators, and changing positive to a negative and vise versa.
Thanks again Mark!
well done mark. I see your always watching,,,i see you post videos of things people ask about. thanks and keep up the hard work. it took a while to pay off but it always will with hard work.
Don't delete this video coz I'm gonna need it in the future. Thanks Man.
I approve of this message. Please keep making these video's.
Keep watchin playa!
Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the explanation
Yes this was a great understanding of the use of a relay. For example what size fuse would you use to wire a relay to turn on 3 amps, like you explained using the remote wire from your head unit as your switch? Thx for your feedback and keep up the good work. Peace.
Really good video man. I never knew how they worked / how to wire them up, but I did vaguely know they worked. Cheers!
I made a amp rack with 2 Amplifiers and im using a relay connected to my cigarette lighter for the accessorie and they really blast for hours and they only get warm. And i love it i enjou your videos and OLD SCHOOL. Bigdwiss too you guys rock
Used a couple relays for high and low beams to pull power from the battery instead of it running through the headlight switch.
Hey Mark! I just want to say that I'm in college for electrical engineering and this explanation was better than my college professor's. Keep up the good work!
Great vid personally I've used them to power switch panels to power leds, amps, and fog light setups.
Good vid. I've been using relays for years, sometimes for car audio, but mainly for custom alarm functions. Stuff like door/trunk poppers, auto window rollups, remote start, turbo timer, the list goes on. The uses for relays is really up to your imagination.
I have used them to provide switching action for door lock actuators, off road lights and charging a remote second or third battery
Awesome! Thanks for posting, good to see the community sharing their experiences!
Thanks for the vid, been wanting an easy explanation of how to use a relay
Good information.
So next you will discuss types of relays?
Mark really great information and I used a relay on ford T6 ranger for the morimoto LED angel eyes. I took the signal from the park lights, constant battery battery of course and park light switch on led active, BOOM!
i just daisy chaned the remote wire to 4 amps worked fine for years
Thank you very much for making this video. I kind of feel like a tard for not using these now. All your information is very detailed and easy to understand. Very much appreciated!!
Bravo excellent video Mark
Thank you!
Good explanation Mark, thank you. I understood relays already but this was interesting.. I always wire 30 to battery positive and 87 to output, 87A is just a "through " so constantly live. I use them for wiring spot lights and hooters (horns) but also in AC applications where they're known as contactors. Keep up the great work!
Great video. Please make a video about crossflow fans vs mini fans. Install locations, reason for fans, etc. there are no videos on RUclips explaining this. I watch all of your videos I am think they are freaking awesome!!
Oh, and by the way. Back when i was an installer in the late 80"s, I used a total of 6 relays to make my car start way before alarms came out with remote start. I used the secondary output (trunk Pop, negative trigger) to Start the car and Stepping on the brakes before you put your key in ignition would break the cycle and cut the engine off. It was cool as Heck!
i used a relay for my buddies PA system on his CB radio it worked out great!
I plan to use a DPDT relay to add a second removable sub to my SUV. I need to get to work on that.
When i went to electronics school, we learned to use 30 as the constant 12V.
Hey Mark, It's Razuuk004 (SMD Forum) Victor. Great Video But I have an Idea for you so you can expand on this video for your followers and how they can use relays on other applications for future installers that are watching. You can expand by showing how to use 2 relays on an alarm installation for which the door lock system uses Reverse Polarity to Lock and Unlock the doors with the signal from the Alarm Brain. (Positive from Relay 1 and Negative from Relay 2 to Lock, And Negative from Relay 1 and Positive from Relay 2 to Unlock.) Maybe it is something that someone out there might want explained and it teaches more in dept the function(s) of a relay.
You know, right after your video I have totally understood how does it works! And answering your question, I can say that there are cars that have no ACC mode so relay are very usefull to immitate it switching for car stereo the right time I need! Thanks a lot!
You are welcome, thank you for watching, I think you comment on my vids often as I recognize your avy, if so thank you!
That's true! Your welcome!
+CarAudioFabrication how many amp relay should be used? 20a, 30a, 40a, 50a?
Андрей Шарапов
he forgot how to explain the henries that the coil creates. :p
Always wondered how thesse worked, thanks!
Going to use a relay for amp turn on, and also for extra 12v accessories like cooling fans, etc/ Probably wouldn't have figured this out until after my install if I hadn't come across your vid's.
I would like to add lights and more amps to my car, but I will like too see actual examples and tricks that you know! Thanx for the great videos
Thanks for the video! I don't plan on a relay in CAF so much as (at least in the future) "fog" or "bar" lights on this dune-buggy project I've taken on. You'd probably be pretty interested in it as I plan on doing a little audio fabrication as well to have some killer tunes while tearing up the trails.
Very helpful! Enjoyed the video
Gatta love those relays!
Sweet n simple video. Great explanation
great video
I love the stuff out of your vids.
Answer to the question. I've used relays in my shaved door handle mod on my suburban.
Starting a long term project, already started on the mechanical go fast stuff but need something else besides engine noise. The first step is going to be tearing out the jenkily installed half functional single din flip up, going with a simple Pioneer head unit, replacing the stock blown speakers with much better amplified units, adding two tweeters (it's a two door) and two twelve inch subs. I'll be running two separate amps, one for the mids/ highs, and one for the subs. Even the audio is going stealth. Amp cut switch, tucked wires, stock speaker grills. Not going for a competition system, just a well rounded one.
Great video thx u I have a kenwood dmx 125bt how do I hook three amps, crossover , backup camera
Great informative video. Good job. Thanks
Nice made, I use a relay for my car leds Inter Light Delay, without relay my leds lights soft stays on.
Power windows!! Now you need to show a video of how to wire two relays for power windows!! That will really confuse everybody!!
i have yet to use a relay but in my next build i have plans for it to turn on leds
Cool.
I use one for my dvd stereo head unit.
To bypass the parking break.
i used a relay for a stealth starter kill for my car. i also have use it for more current for my amp and fans
Thanks a lot. I have a relay in which the connections between 30 and 85 are bridged. Do you know what is for ?
Now do relays have current ratings? What gauge wire should I run for a simple led/amp turnon relay? 12 or 16?
MORE WIRING VIDEOS!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!
very insightful. haven't used one til now but im going to get one today for my amps and leds. As usual great job! would you recommend connecting directly to the battery or to one of the fuses in the fuse box?
You should do a fused run of properly sized cable from your battery to a fused distribution block. Run from that to another distribution block or directly to the relay. Do NOT tap into a fuse in the fuse block.
CarAudioFabrication Thanks I know what I'll be doing today
I used relays for fog lights
I used relays for my door poppers.
The only relay I have used so far was to allow my indash to play dvds without having to put on the parking brake. Now I can ride around with music videos playing, passengers love it
allways install a diode parallel to the coil or equipment in the system might get a current spike when it turns off.
This really needs an update. Where did you get them? Are there different sizes? What fuse should one use with a certain relay or does that matter? Maybe show the entire diagram with real world applications... If I where a newbie I would say "I'm not going to use a relay because you only teased me and I'm scared. I don't have flood insurance. hehe.
NIce Cowboy One more thing to add to my rig also like to add it to my HIDs and maybe system see how it comes out?
love this video and would like to see you do a video on a solenoid as well
thanks bro. keep up the noble work !
I've used relays on Fog lights, air horns and alarms.
Don't forget to put a diode across the coil in reverse polarity to prevent back emf from damaging your electronics attached to the relay. It's common practice for all relays so I'm guessing it's important for car audio too.
Awesome explanaition on the function of relays/use......now i wonder if i cam use a relay to lower and raise my power windows with a push of my alarm button...hmmmm?
Thanks ,
Very elaborate explanations.
Much Appreciated :)
Very Helpful Indeed .
nice video!
Do I need to worry about adding flyback diode to the relay?? or not necessary in this situation?
2 amp setup with electronic crossover using factory head unit. Wish me luck 🤞
I use relays from fog lights, led lights and train horn
hey mark, did u get the pics of my plexiglass project?
I use relays on a daily basis with the trim systems on boats!
would adding a relay allow turning off car while leaving stereo on and not get the pop noise from subwoofer???
Thanks a lot very helpful
How many relays can I trigger off the remote wire , keeping enough juice to turn on my 2 amps?
Might mention that the activation of the coil can send out a large electromagnetic pulse so it is a good idea to keep the relay away from RCA signal cables. Of course, if the autosound industry would go "all-in" with optical or balanced-line signal cables, induced noise would be a thing of the past.
Great information! I am in the process of upgrading my system and my next step is to run 0 gauge and install one of those KNF60 distribution blocks so that I can start adding amplifiers as I am able to afford them. At 2:08 you show a great shot of your KnuKonceptz distribution blocks and a bus bar. Can you explain what is going in in that shot? Can the relay be used to turn on LEDs? How do you fuse them?
Relay vs Fuse box....whats the main difference. The benefits of one over the other or both together? Trying to wiring something up with a Blue Sea fuse box.
Great video! Thanks Mark. I want to put a relay on my 3 amps, LED lights, and temp sensor relay. Which relay should I use?
I have 15 relays in my car so far. 8 to control the power windows (4 windows, 1 relay for up and 1 for down on each window. then one master relay to juice up all the window relays.) then 1 ignition relay to run my gauges and 1 accessory relay to turn on my deck and volt meter. 2 for the power door locks. one more for interior lighting so when you open the door, the foot wells have light in them and is easy to see at night. then the last one is for trunk lighting so I can see in my tool boxes at night...
Great video! What is the current demand/draw from the relays coil you are using in your systems?
Miniscule.
@@CarAudioFabrication Respectfully, that’s not a number. How much current flow can a head unit provide through the remote circuit (on average)? How much current demand does the remote circuit on amps and DSP draw (on average)? Thanks for your reply.
Great video. I will be doing an install and am weak at wiring. My head unit does not have a remote out. It is powered by a ACC/switch wire that turns it on with the key. I will be powering two amps and a cooling fan behind a thermo sensor. How would a relay be implemented without a remote hu wire if I want the amps and fan to turn off/on with the head unit?
Diode to prevent backcurrent?