I use a starter relay from an old 60's car to do my 2 KC 385,000 CP
lights. I saw this setup on an old bronco that a freind of mine
bought back in high school, and it was a hell of an idea. When I flip
the light switch I hear a the clunk of the relay designed to channel
hundreds of amps and my lights come on. When I turn it off another
click. I've had this setup for 6 years with no problems on my CJ.
Only thing strang is when someone is looking under the hood and says
"WTF you've got to started solenoids!!" I can take a picture of the
setup if your interested. It is pretty easy to setup.


On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 18:51:28 -0600, "Jet" <jet@bestweb.net> wrote:

>I have a set of 150 watt 385,000 candle power KC offroad lights on my jeep
>and I melted a 30 amp relay. it was a $6 relay I bought at the auto parts
>store that the guy insisted would work. so what you guys are using? also my
>brother in-law has 4 of same lights on his off roader and is also having
>problems finding a relay that works on the 4 lights. any suggestions?
>thanks carmine
>

 

I use a starter relay from an old 60's car to do my 2 KC 385,000 CP
lights. I saw this setup on an old bronco that a freind of mine
bought back in high school, and it was a hell of an idea. When I flip
the light switch I hear a the clunk of the relay designed to channel
hundreds of amps and my lights come on. When I turn it off another
click. I've had this setup for 6 years with no problems on my CJ.
Only thing strang is when someone is looking under the hood and says
"WTF you've got to started solenoids!!" I can take a picture of the
setup if your interested. It is pretty easy to setup.


On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 18:51:28 -0600, "Jet" <jet@bestweb.net> wrote:

>I have a set of 150 watt 385,000 candle power KC offroad lights on my jeep
>and I melted a 30 amp relay. it was a $6 relay I bought at the auto parts
>store that the guy insisted would work. so what you guys are using? also my
>brother in-law has 4 of same lights on his off roader and is also having
>problems finding a relay that works on the 4 lights. any suggestions?
>thanks carmine
>

 

I use a starter relay from an old 60's car to do my 2 KC 385,000 CP
lights. I saw this setup on an old bronco that a freind of mine
bought back in high school, and it was a hell of an idea. When I flip
the light switch I hear a the clunk of the relay designed to channel
hundreds of amps and my lights come on. When I turn it off another
click. I've had this setup for 6 years with no problems on my CJ.
Only thing strang is when someone is looking under the hood and says
"WTF you've got to started solenoids!!" I can take a picture of the
setup if your interested. It is pretty easy to setup.


On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 18:51:28 -0600, "Jet" <jet@bestweb.net> wrote:

>I have a set of 150 watt 385,000 candle power KC offroad lights on my jeep
>and I melted a 30 amp relay. it was a $6 relay I bought at the auto parts
>store that the guy insisted would work. so what you guys are using? also my
>brother in-law has 4 of same lights on his off roader and is also having
>problems finding a relay that works on the 4 lights. any suggestions?
>thanks carmine
>

 

>I use a starter relay from an old 60's car to do my 2 KC 385,000 CP
>lights

I prefer a constant-duty solenoid over a starter solenoid. Starter solenoids
can "pop" when they get hot from constant use and then you're in the same boat
as with a cheap relay - no power.

Constant duty solenoids are commonly used for running a charging wire to a
trailer or camper battery (only "on" when ignition is on so you won't draw down
your starting battery), which I think is a good feature for high-draw offroad
lights. They are a few dollars more than a starter solenoid, but worth it.
Available at any good auto parts counter, NAPA, trailer supply stores, etc.





Robert Bills
KG6LMV
Orange County CA

http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
http://www.RobertBills.com

 

>I use a starter relay from an old 60's car to do my 2 KC 385,000 CP
>lights

I prefer a constant-duty solenoid over a starter solenoid. Starter solenoids
can "pop" when they get hot from constant use and then you're in the same boat
as with a cheap relay - no power.

Constant duty solenoids are commonly used for running a charging wire to a
trailer or camper battery (only "on" when ignition is on so you won't draw down
your starting battery), which I think is a good feature for high-draw offroad
lights. They are a few dollars more than a starter solenoid, but worth it.
Available at any good auto parts counter, NAPA, trailer supply stores, etc.





Robert Bills
KG6LMV
Orange County CA

http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
http://www.RobertBills.com

 

>I use a starter relay from an old 60's car to do my 2 KC 385,000 CP
>lights

I prefer a constant-duty solenoid over a starter solenoid. Starter solenoids
can "pop" when they get hot from constant use and then you're in the same boat
as with a cheap relay - no power.

Constant duty solenoids are commonly used for running a charging wire to a
trailer or camper battery (only "on" when ignition is on so you won't draw down
your starting battery), which I think is a good feature for high-draw offroad
lights. They are a few dollars more than a starter solenoid, but worth it.
Available at any good auto parts counter, NAPA, trailer supply stores, etc.





Robert Bills
KG6LMV
Orange County CA

http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
http://www.RobertBills.com

 

Well, the quick math says that one 150W bulb at 12V will draw 12.5A. If your
brother has 4 lamps at 12.5A each, then he is drawing 50A through a 30A
relay. My guess is this will melt.



"Jet" <jet@bestweb.net> wrote in message
news:101gjeqd3pp0v62@corp.supernews.com...
> I have a set of 150 watt 385,000 candle power KC offroad lights on my jeep
> and I melted a 30 amp relay. it was a $6 relay I bought at the auto parts
> store that the guy insisted would work. so what you guys are using? also
my
> brother in-law has 4 of same lights on his off roader and is also having
> problems finding a relay that works on the 4 lights. any suggestions?
> thanks carmine
>
>

 

Well, the quick math says that one 150W bulb at 12V will draw 12.5A. If your
brother has 4 lamps at 12.5A each, then he is drawing 50A through a 30A
relay. My guess is this will melt.



"Jet" <jet@bestweb.net> wrote in message
news:101gjeqd3pp0v62@corp.supernews.com...
> I have a set of 150 watt 385,000 candle power KC offroad lights on my jeep
> and I melted a 30 amp relay. it was a $6 relay I bought at the auto parts
> store that the guy insisted would work. so what you guys are using? also
my
> brother in-law has 4 of same lights on his off roader and is also having
> problems finding a relay that works on the 4 lights. any suggestions?
> thanks carmine
>
>

 

Well, the quick math says that one 150W bulb at 12V will draw 12.5A. If your
brother has 4 lamps at 12.5A each, then he is drawing 50A through a 30A
relay. My guess is this will melt.



"Jet" <jet@bestweb.net> wrote in message
news:101gjeqd3pp0v62@corp.supernews.com...
> I have a set of 150 watt 385,000 candle power KC offroad lights on my jeep
> and I melted a 30 amp relay. it was a $6 relay I bought at the auto parts
> store that the guy insisted would work. so what you guys are using? also
my
> brother in-law has 4 of same lights on his off roader and is also having
> problems finding a relay that works on the 4 lights. any suggestions?
> thanks carmine
>
>