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Re: New thread - Fuses/Electrical Protection

To: Steven Laifman <av342@lafn.org>, W Goebner <wpgoebn@pacbell.com>
Subject: Re: New thread - Fuses/Electrical Protection
From: lallegrucci@westpub.com
Date: Tue, 02 Jul 96 23:37:40 -0600
If you really want to upgrade your electrics, you might consider installing 
relays.  A relay is sort of like a switch for high amp accessories which is 
powered by a low amp circuit.  If you adapted your lights, for example, you 
would run a heavier guage power line from the positive power source, ie) 
starter 
accesory block, through a relay, to the lights.  The relay would be activated 
by 
the thin little wires running to and from the light switch on your dashboard.  
The low amp side of the relay powers a magnetic switch which allows the high 
amp 
current to flow through.  I'm not sure if my explanation is clear, but the end 
result is that you have alot less amps running around behind the dash, a 
shorter 
path for the high amp circuit, and heavier guage wire carrying power to the 
lights etc.   Another way of explaining it is that a relay is sort of like an 
electrically operated valve - it requires just a little power to open and close 
the valve, but once opened, the valve flows alot of water, or in this case 
electricity to your lights.   Ok, just to beat the analogy to a certain death, 
A 
low amperage circuit runs to your light switch which controls the flow of the 
high amperage flow of the relay.  I'll stop now.  Good luck with whatever path 
you choose.

Brian Corrigan

67 Pine Project
72 MGB-GT daily driver 

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