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Lightbar relay switch help

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Ambiguouse, Apr 25, 2019.

  1. Apr 25, 2019 at 6:48 PM
    #1
    Ambiguouse

    #1
    Ambiguouse [OP] do you even taco

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    My light bar hasn’t been working for a cool minute and figured out that my relay switch was the problem. My new relay came in today I switched it up and my bars working again finally!
    My question is can I wrap the relay switch with electrical tape or even duct tape? Just for protection against water or other stuff. But I noticed how hot the relay switch gets when the bars on and it doesn’t seem safe to wrap it with any type of tape that can be flammable. Wondering what can I use to wrap or put anything around the relay switch for protection?

    D595A1E9-A96F-4F88-9CD4-84FEF049F233.jpg
    44F4493C-36AC-4556-BC92-EBF48073BBDB.jpg
     
    Ambiguouse, Apr 25, 2019
    #1
  2. May 3, 2019 at 6:54 AM
    #2
    JustinL

    #2
    JustinL Well-Known Member

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    I have a aux fuse panel with relays on top of it and hit the same problem last week - one of my relays appears to have corrosion. You can wrap the connection of the relay and plug to keep from moisture getting inside. There's also another option:
    $10 TRUE MODS 1 Pack 5-Pin 12V Bosch Style Waterproof Relay Kit [Harness Socket] [12 AWG Hot Wires] [SPDT] [30/40 Amp] 12 Volt Automotive Marine Relays for Boats Auto Fan Cars
    https://www.amazon.com/ONLINE-LED-S...nd+Harness&qid=1556891662&s=automotive&sr=1-7
     
    JustinL, May 3, 2019
    #2
  3. May 3, 2019 at 7:04 AM
    #3
    maxtherat

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    maxtherat Well-Known Member

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    I personally would and do use diaelectric grease on the connections. It helps prevent corrosion, repels moisture and promotes the connection between the relay terminals and wire connectors. I absolutely would not wrap it in duct tape but don’t see the harm in electrical tape. I’ve got relays that even came withheat shrink insulation on them. Nice looking truck btw.
     
    maxtherat, May 3, 2019
    #3
  4. May 3, 2019 at 7:22 AM
    #4
    n6vmo

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    n6vmo Well-Known Member

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    Hmm...your relay shouldn't get that hot. Are your wires hot too?

    Your 40 amp relay certainly displays the specs to handle it. The control coil inside the relay is a fairly high resistance coil and should draw very little current when operating, not heating up at all.
    Measure that coil resistance if you can and report back your findings

    If the relay is getting hot and your wires are not, then there may be a little to much resistance from the C to NO contacts (light bar control contacts). This little bit of resistance will cause the relay contacts to heat up when drawing a large amount of current. This is typical in low quality relays.

    Disconnect only the light bar at the relay and enable the relay with your light bar switch. Wait to see if it gets hot without powering the light bar. Let us know what you find.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2019
    n6vmo, May 3, 2019
    #4
    paranoid56 likes this.
  5. May 6, 2019 at 8:41 AM
    #5
    paranoid56

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    paranoid56 Well-Known Member

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    what the guy above said. the relay shouldnt be getting hot.
     
    paranoid56, May 6, 2019
    #5

Products Discussed in

TRUE MODS 1 Pack 5-Pin 12V Bosch Style Waterproof Relay Kit [Harness Socket] [12 AWG Hot Wires] [SPDT] [30/40 Amp] 12 Volt Automotive Marine Relays for Boats Auto Fan Cars
$9.50
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