spot light relay

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 25, 2015

Hi all

I`ve had to replace the relay on my spotlights/ driving lights for the 3rd time in a year.
12v 30A 4 pin

any ideas why, there`s no obvious reason

cheers
Ray

trax · Jan 26, 2015

[email protected] said:
Hi all

I`ve had to replace the relay on my spotlights/ driving lights for the 3rd time in a year.
12v 30A 4 pin

any ideas why, there`s no obvious reason

cheers
Ray

what are your spots? how many? etc.. bit lacking in detail

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 26, 2015

Hi
Not sure what spots they are, only 2 , 6 inch driving lamps , connected to high beam, with power to relay from alternator.
The relay and spots were allready fitted, I changed the spots, and relay using same one with same values.
Regards
Ray

trax · Jan 26, 2015

they hot/burnt ?

double check your earth. it may just be lots of initial contacts.. do you flash your lights often and cause them to come on? are they really cheap relays?

next one that blows, open it up and see if it is burnt.

zeaphod · Jan 26, 2015

Kinda obvious, but also check that it's wired correctly, in case the PO did not.

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 26, 2015

Ok. I`ve opened the latest fail up, and its burnt, in fact the little movable plate has burnt wright through.

yep, cheap relays last one from ebay, latest from Halfords.
Is there better ones ?

I do flash my lights, usally against the garage door, so I can see if the spots come on.

cheers
Ray

trax · Jan 26, 2015

[email protected] said:
Ok. I`ve opened the latest fail up, and its burnt, in fact the little movable plate has burnt wright through.

yep, cheap relays last one from ebay, latest from Halfords.
Is there better ones ?

I do flash my lights, usally against the garage door, so I can see if the spots come on.

cheers
Ray

i'd try something like this next http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/645/12v-relays-with-diode. durite is decent. you don't *need* a diode, but vwp doesn't seem to have one without

they aren't designed for lots of flashing on and off btw. normal use is fine though

Litch · Jan 26, 2015

Is it wired up correctly?
A relay should last for years regardless of use (I can't recall a single relay ever failing on me), if it isn't drawing an excessive current it sounds as if there is something wrong with the wiring. As it was already done when you bought the vehicle I would check it as there is an awful amount of bodging going on out there.

85 Earth.
86 Switch live.
30 Fused supply.
87 Output.

terr · Jan 26, 2015

and the power comes from the alternator and not the battery ,

trax · Jan 26, 2015

Litch said:
Is it wired up correctly?
A relay should last for years regardless of use (I can't recall a single relay ever failing on me), if it isn't drawing an excessive current it sounds as if there is something wrong with the wiring. As it was already done when you bought the vehicle I would check it as there is an awful amount of bodging going on out there.

85 Earth.
86 Switch live.
30 Fused supply.
87 Output.

poorly made cheap ones can melt fairly quickly

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 26, 2015

yep, power comes from alternator.

The relay that I replaced is burnt out, inside, what would cause that?

trax · Jan 26, 2015

when you say power from alt, you do mean you wired it to the starter stud don't you?

and power can come from the bat or alt depending on load.. it doesn't matter.

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 26, 2015

The power lead comes from the alternator, and has a fuse inline before the relay, this is how it was when I changed the spots and renewed the relay.
I belive the wiring is good, looks like a pro install, and the spots I replaced where Landrover ones

trax · Jan 26, 2015

stick a pic up if it's not too much hassle

kes86 · Jan 27, 2015

I have never seen spots or anything else wired to the alternator, guess it would work, but not the normal way of doing it.

Mine are wired from the battery, via a small fuse box hidden behind the centre switch panel on the dash.

The only problem I have had is the plastic lug breaking off the relay literally yesterday, so changed it to a better quality relay.

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 27, 2015

Here we go

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 27, 2015

james6546 · Jan 27, 2015

Is it getting wet?

raymowatt@ntlworld.com · Jan 27, 2015

Should be dry, its under the top of the wing, and all the wires are dusty.

zeaphod · Jan 27, 2015

I don't like the look/thought of it being powered direct from the alternator. A "pro" (by my book) job would be to take a feed from the battery or main fuse panel supply, avoiding adding under bonnet wiring. It may be getting the 14v alternator battery charging voltage, which won't be good for it.

spot light relay

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