Please pardon our dust while we improve the website over the next few days.  If you need anything please feel free to call 616-301-2888 or email Mike.  Thank you!

Q & A: Relays

In most modern electrical systems, the switches on the dash that control such items as the headlights, heater blower, horn, and other big current items only switch the control current for relays that actually operate the above items. In the MGB, that is not the case, and the switches carry and switch the entire current, with consequential impact on the longevity of the contacts, wiring harness, etc. It has occurred to me that it might extend the life of my switches and harness if I were to add relays to operate big current items. I can get good individual 12 volt relays and simply stick them in where needed, but I was looking at the arrangement on my '86 300ZX and thought that something like it might be really neat. It has a relay block with plug-in relays and a cover over the whole thing. So, my question is (finally!), is the addition of relays a good idea,
and, if so, do you have any suggestions as to how it should be done.
Thanks,
John Hubbard

John! The most common relay fitted is for the horns -- and this isn't to power the units, it's to ground them! I'm trying to think of which switches we change most frequently in the shop -- and it's not the headlight switch. We do change ... read more