dcarver
Well-known member
Failed headlights started this thread.
Thought I'd document with pix the inner workings here -
Note that the primary side of this relay still functioned. Click, Click. Tapping the relay results in current delivered to the load.
Dissected. Interesting design. The copper 'plate' on top, with the 3 'button's, is actually the hinge, spring, switch, and is pulled down when the primary is energized causing contact closure.
Another view. The frame at right of coil is actually a conductor for the secondary switched side and goes directly to the large 'silver' plated terminal.
Another view. Clever design, but it sure doesn't appear to be much surface area on secondary side to flow current needed by two H4 bulbs..
The secondary side copper-colored terminal presents power to the 'hot' contact point. If it's as looks, that point is the center 'button' in the first pix or pix following this one.
That's it for now.
Tomorrow I'll lift the hinge and examine the secondary contacts. The relay was clean, no dirt, grime, and the hinge area felt of a very fine, light oil. All in all, the relay looks plenty good. My hypothesis is that the current carrying contact is a wee bit small for the current load.
Anything else you'd like to see before I essentially destroy this relay?
Thought I'd document with pix the inner workings here -
Note that the primary side of this relay still functioned. Click, Click. Tapping the relay results in current delivered to the load.
Dissected. Interesting design. The copper 'plate' on top, with the 3 'button's, is actually the hinge, spring, switch, and is pulled down when the primary is energized causing contact closure.
Another view. The frame at right of coil is actually a conductor for the secondary switched side and goes directly to the large 'silver' plated terminal.
Another view. Clever design, but it sure doesn't appear to be much surface area on secondary side to flow current needed by two H4 bulbs..
The secondary side copper-colored terminal presents power to the 'hot' contact point. If it's as looks, that point is the center 'button' in the first pix or pix following this one.
That's it for now.
Tomorrow I'll lift the hinge and examine the secondary contacts. The relay was clean, no dirt, grime, and the hinge area felt of a very fine, light oil. All in all, the relay looks plenty good. My hypothesis is that the current carrying contact is a wee bit small for the current load.
Anything else you'd like to see before I essentially destroy this relay?
