stuck like chuck

ok some im planning on buying and installing offroad lights (kc style) this weekend. everything im ready says to install a relay.

question 1) whats the point?

question 2) what size relay?

trans_am7935

the point is that it takes the load off the switch so you can draw power strait from the source to the the lights. it makes the lights brigter, safer and last longer due to switched power and not constant loaded power from the switch. here is a link all about it. have fun

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wir...-lights-53624/

diskman

A switch WILL melt after a while as they cannot take the load of the lights directly. If you use the switch to turn on the relay and THAT turns on the lights then the load is taken by the relay. Relays have much larger contacts and beefier internals that can take the amperage of the lights.

I go to the local pick-and-pull yard and harvest entire relay sets from 89-90 Dodge Caravans and early 90s GM fullsize cars. You can usually rip out the ENTIRE relay assembly under the hood so you get sockets, brackets and a good bit of the original wires to solder new wire to. Runs me about $3 for an entire rail of relays. Been using them for years on my vehicle projects.

A great source of 12, 14 and 16GA copper wire for CHEAP is 25 foot extension cords from your local home improvement store. Read the label to verify the guage. I pick up 14 GA 3 wire 25 foot cords for $9.00. That translates to 75 FEET of 14 GA copper wire for wiring projects. The spools of 20 foot copper are $18 each!

Just lop off the ends of the cord and pull the outer sheath off. You end up with 3 really nice long wires. No red though.. I use the white for + on my systems.

trans_am7935

never thought about the extension cord idea, good find. props to you

45shutr

Another option for relay(s) is to use a Ford remote starter relay. They are cheap and can take any load you could ever throw at it from lights or anything else for that matter. Just mount it on the firewall and away you go.