Need electrical help!

Luke'sScreenName · Jul 25, 2015

Thanks for the help guys! I love this forum.

2bON2b · Jul 25, 2015

lukestafford said:
Ok. I was looking at the power consumpition for these things and it struck me as very small. And the resistance should actually go down with a larger amp rated relay right?

It may due to conductor size that was used to make the coil. If it was listed with a 500ma current consumption then roll with it. I would.

Luke'sScreenName · Jul 25, 2015

Ok. I'll make a trip to O'Reillys tomorrow and see what they have.

skyhook · Aug 2, 2015

Here's a thought,....I don't think you need a "relay" for such a small current involved.
I don't fully understand what you want to do

Do you already have a "park brake light" now and want to install another one along side of it that is "brighter"? If thats the case, just tap your led into that circuit, red to the light you have now and ground the black wire.
When the park brake is activated, both will light up and both are protected by that 5 amp fuse.

whiterose · Oct 28, 2015

Are you sure you need a relay?
Relays are to switch a heavy ( ish) load controlled by a small current that works its coil. The coil switches the relay. Yes a single pole double throw can be used to work your device if it switches on or off by using the correct terminal. Either a NO - normally open/or off or the other terminal the NC one - normally closed/made/on.
See what the led strobe needs in current draw. Connect to a 12 battery directly- hopefully you'll have a multimeter set to current- start high, 10 amps and go down if needed.
If the current is say 5 amps or less you won't need a relay but may find the switch you want to use will switch off when you need it on. Or the reverse of that.
So you'll need replace that switch with a spdt one if possible. Or you'll need to use a relay to do the same job.

whiterose · Oct 28, 2015

Feed the coil direct from 12 v battery and see what the current it takes- Still likely low- guess 1/4 amp or less.
30 amp rating, of its contacts, will be fine.

Luke'sScreenName · Oct 29, 2015

Thanks whiterose but got this figured out a while back. Appreciate the effort though!

Scrambler82 · Nov 5, 2015

lukestaffers,
Was wondering what you have done and how it turned out ?

Just for grins... there are flashing LEDs, you don't need extra pieces just the flashing LED and some wire of proper gauge, ok something, some how to mount it.

Luke'sScreenName · Nov 5, 2015

Yup. The flashing wasn't the problem. I needed to power the strobe when my "control" circuit was open. Hence the need for a relay. It worked! I now have an extreamly bright strobe on my dash when I set my parking break.