Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? #762074
07/31/10 02:02 PM
07/31/10 02:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440 Offline OP
I Live Here
Quicksilver440  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
I found this on yellowbullet.com and thought it might be great for adding all my extra circuits to. I'm using my stock harnesses for all the regular street car functions...but all my add-ons (Nitrous, wideband,elecric fuel pumps, etc) need the wiring cleaned up and I thought this could really clean up my installation. Any thoughts? Oh...and my Battery is still up front in the stock location.



Quote:


Below I have taken the original descriptions and questions from the various threads and put them here in a central location.
Here are the links to the original posts:
http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=87135
http://www.dragstuff.com/forum/viewt...hp?f=12&t=2534

Prices:
20/40 amp relay center: 100.00

It has 5 40 and 5 20 amp relays. Each circuit individually fused. LED indicators on the inputs and outputs. Apply 12V on the input turns on the relay. Besides the 10 input and 10 output connections it only requires a small ground and the battery feed. It’s 4.8 by 9 inches.

How can you get away with such a small ground?

Because it is only for the LED’s and the relay coils. It carries none of the current from the devices being controlled by the relay. Total current through the ground with all the relays on (@12V) is 1.41 amps.

How well will this work on a 16v system with no alternator?

16V @ 40 amps is the limit for the 40 amp relays. You can go higher voltage like 18 Volts but then the current can only be 35 amps. The 20 amp relays are limited to 20 amps @ 14V, 17.2 amps @16V, or 14.4 amps @ 18V.

1 oz copper or more? Assuming you doubled up the battery buss on the flip side based on all the vias. Double traces on the switched side of the relay too?

3 oz. Copper actually and yes the power traces into and out of the relays are on both sides of the board. There is only a single trace for the switched side of the relay, but it is more than generously sized.

Do you have any drag cars running these? Are they pretty durable?

Yes I have several drag cars running these. They are durable, but actually street/strip cars are more of a reliability test since they usually have more devices on at one time and for longer periods of time. So far I haven’t had any complaints from either type of user.
Are those relays able to come out and be replaced if needed? Or are they soldered to the board?
Yes the relays are in a socket. I have actually been thinking about doing away with the sockets on the next version because I feel they only add cost and another potential failure point. I worked for about 11 years with an ambulance system had a similar (but much larger) relay board and more often than not it was the sockets loosening up and failing not actual relay failures, especially when used close to their maximum ratings.

Dave, any chance of doing your relay board in the epoxy also? Thanks…..

At this time, no, the cost is just too prohibitive at this point.

Quick question. Are the relays no, nc, or a combination? I see the potential to lose 10) yards of the spaghetti I have now...

The relays are NO.

Dave there is one thing I noticed that I do have a concern about on the relay board. Are those inputs a connector or little screws that hold a bare wire? Any issues with those loosening up due to vibration?

The inputs are a screw connector that you insert a wire into. Loosening isn't really a problem, I have a similar connector on the relay board in my car and I just checked them after 5 or so years and none were loose enough to pull out the wire. Yeah, I was able to get a half turn or so on a couple but that was it. Having said that though, checking them once or twice a year wouldn't be a bad idea.

For the 10 relay board, am I reading that correctly that it has LEDS on there that tell you if it is functioning correctly?

Yes it has leds on the inputs (tells you if your switch is working) and outputs (lets you know the fuse and relay are working).





http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146727

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Quicksilver440] #762075
07/31/10 02:18 PM
07/31/10 02:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,095
Idaho
Runner Offline
master
Runner  Offline
master

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,095
Idaho
thats pretty neat

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Quicksilver440] #762076
07/31/10 02:21 PM
07/31/10 02:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 610
Boise
M
Moparteacher Offline
mopar
Moparteacher  Offline
mopar
M

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 610
Boise
Looks clean, simple and easy to use.

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Runner] #762077
07/31/10 07:55 PM
07/31/10 07:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440 Offline OP
I Live Here
Quicksilver440  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Here is an install picture...I thought it looked pretty clean.

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Moparteacher] #762078
07/31/10 08:45 PM
07/31/10 08:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
HEMIFRED Offline
master
HEMIFRED  Offline
master

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
not on my race car. it's just one more item that can go bad. I am in the minority with wiring. A good quality hi amp rated switch, correct wire size and a fuse, That's how I do it. A relay only on my pump because it's already in the rear.


home of the
Sox and Martin Hemi Duster


Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Quicksilver440] #762079
07/31/10 09:15 PM
07/31/10 09:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,875
communist bloc of new jersey
J
jamesc Offline
master
jamesc  Offline
master
J

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,875
communist bloc of new jersey
Quote:

Here is an install picture...I thought it looked pretty clean.





parts left out cost nothing and cause no service problems. i never use a relay unless it's necessary. on another note it looks like some of that has been soldered and heat shrunk. i did that one time...it cost me a run at defending a championship and a $1000 worth of bent shift forks due to an intermittent electrical problem. solder wicks up the wire and causes a potential fracture point amhik. afaik all the wiring on aircraft is crimped. i'll never solder connectons like that again.

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: jamesc] #762080
07/31/10 11:10 PM
07/31/10 11:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440 Offline OP
I Live Here
Quicksilver440  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
I hear you guys...that is definitly my concern. It would be a lot easier to fix at the track without the board.

I often crimp my wires with non-insulated connectors and then shrink wrap them just because it looks so much better to me. You make a good point about aircraft.

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Quicksilver440] #762081
08/01/10 12:16 AM
08/01/10 12:16 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,699
Newport, Mi
Evil Spirit Offline
master
Evil Spirit  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,699
Newport, Mi
IMO, I like relays because they limit the amount of larger, high amperage wires in the car, and they run less amps through the switches. Most of the cars that I wire are looking for switches that look nicer than the standard high amp utility switches. So I usually use the lower rated "decorator" switches they want and protect them with relays, circuit breakers, etc. I can see why some use the H.D. switch/heavier wiring/fuse approach - it just usually doesn't fit what my customers want or need.

As to connections, I don't like the pre-insulated crimp-ons because you can't visually inspect the connection. I buy non insulated terms and use pliers that properly crimp the term to the wire, then (on some style terms) crimp the term to the insulation. I like to put a small dot of solder on the tip of the wire in the term, and then use shrink tube to finish the connection.

I've had pretty good luck by doing wiring this way. To each their own. I do like the looks of that relay board and will probably order one for my next project - updating MY OWN car!


Free advice and worth every penny...
Factory trained Slinky rewinder.........
Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Evil Spirit] #762082
08/01/10 02:21 AM
08/01/10 02:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,106
Rogue River, OR
Jeremiah Offline
master
Jeremiah  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,106
Rogue River, OR
I do something similar with a couple of "project boxes" from radio shack. I mount a fuse buss (like the one in the picture and a few low amp relays (two-step, ign-on for the MSD, ign-on for water pump and fan, etc.) in one box and run all of the high-amp power circuits through another that has a maxi-fuse between it and the battery/alt. Essentially I have one fuse panel to provide power to the switch site of the relay and one fuse panel for the main power feed. I use a good Klein crimper and non-insulated solderless terminals with a little no-ox on the bare wire prior to crimping. I've done lots of cars like this and never had a failure or any find, even in the salt.

I can get a few pics of my current project if you would like.

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Jeremiah] #762083
08/01/10 04:33 AM
08/01/10 04:33 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
HEMIFRED Offline
master
HEMIFRED  Offline
master

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
For sometime I have been using Posi-locks for any extended wires..
much better and stronger than any butt connectors


and Posi-tap to pick up a hot line


home of the
Sox and Martin Hemi Duster


Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: HEMIFRED] #762084
08/01/10 10:29 AM
08/01/10 10:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
Chris2581 Offline
master
Chris2581  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
Quote:

not on my race car. it's just one more item that can go bad. I am in the minority with wiring. A good quality hi amp rated switch, correct wire size and a fuse, That's how I do it. A relay only on my pump because it's already in the rear.




You don't have time to chase down electrical gremlins at the track... Wire,switch,fuse and load..that's it for me.


Nautilus Racing-
We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Chris2581] #762085
08/01/10 11:33 AM
08/01/10 11:33 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
HEMIFRED Offline
master
HEMIFRED  Offline
master

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
I like the KISS priciple on all my wiring

I made a change after many years of contending with that stupid line lock coiled wire that cost 30.00 ? .
No more tangles ,no more aggravation when using removeable wheel.
One 75 amp headlight switch 6.00
one plastic project box 3.00 total cost 9.00
I mounted switch in the box and mounted the box on the side of my tunnel. Lift switch on push it's off


home of the
Sox and Martin Hemi Duster


Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: HEMIFRED] #762086
08/02/10 12:55 AM
08/02/10 12:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440 Offline OP
I Live Here
Quicksilver440  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quote:

I like the KISS priciple on all my wiring

I made a change after many years of contending with that stupid line lock coiled wire that cost 30.00 ? .
No more tangles ,no more aggravation when using removeable wheel.
One 75 amp headlight switch 6.00
one plastic project box 3.00 total cost 9.00
I mounted switch in the box and mounted the box on the side of my tunnel. Lift switch on push it's off




I like that idea for the line lock...

Re: Anybody have thoughts on these relay circuit boards? [Re: Quicksilver440] #762087
08/02/10 08:53 PM
08/02/10 08:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 73
lansing, mi.
big johnson moto Offline
member
big johnson moto  Offline
member

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 73
lansing, mi.
I have one in the dart and love it! keeps things simple, and easy to trace if there is a problem. I'am by no means a wirring person, so if I could install it, it must be simple to do. The other nice thing is if you have any problems, nitrous dave from yellow bullet will be right there to help you out, he is the designer of the board. I give it two thumbs up!

Last edited by alteredstate451; 08/02/10 08:55 PM.

E85 kicks gas!






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1