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How much current do you run through your relay (s)?

  • Thread starter Thread starter koolaid_kid
  • Start date Start date
K

koolaid_kid

Guest
I was just wondering if you had calculated this number. (Please note, the generic Bosch automotive relay is spec'd to 40A off (seldom used) and 30A on (normal use) (thanks for the spec, posplayer)
I run a generic relay which comes on when the ignition is on, and I run the following units off my relay:
Coils - 10A (15v / 3 Ohm) = 5A x 2 = 10A
Dyna S - 1A (very conservative estimate)
Martek Grip Heaters - 2A (20W / 14V)
Fiamm Horns - 9A (Only used occasionally, so could be considered a burst or pulse)

So with the engine running, heaters on high, and horn blasting, I am at 22A, well within the 30A rating of my relay. Normal running I am at 11A, in the winter up to 13A, and in emergencies in the winter spiking to 22A.
Anyone else done the math?
Thanks in advance.
 
koolaid_kid said:
I was just wondering if you had calculated this number. (Please note, the generic Bosch automotive relay is spec'd to 40A off (seldom used) and 30A on (normal use) (thanks for the spec, posplayer)
I run a generic relay which comes on when the ignition is on, and I run the following units off my relay:
Coils - 10A (15v / 3 Ohm) = 5A x 2 = 10A
Dyna S - 1A (very conservative estimate)
Martek Grip Heaters - 2A (20W / 14V)
Fiamm Horns - 9A (Only used occasionally, so could be considered a burst or pulse)

So with the engine running, heaters on high, and horn blasting, I am at 22A, well within the 30A rating of my relay. Normal running I am at 11A, in the winter up to 13A, and in emergencies in the winter spiking to 22A.
Anyone else done the math?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Without accessories (but headlamp on), I have measured about 14 amps (out of the R/R) on my ED.
 
I don't know, but I will be able to find out easily enough. :D

I recently got a new meter from Radio Snack.

It's a clamp-on meter that does AC and DC amps. :dancing:

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Steve said:
I don't know, but I will be able to find out easily enough. :D

I recently got a new meter from Radio Snack.

It's a clamp-on meter that does AC and DC amps. :dancing:

.
Click to expand...
All right, Mr. fancy pants. ;) But I would really like to know what folk with accessories are pulling and through which relays.
posplayr, that is most excellent information. It sounds like a stock configuation measurement. My factory suzy manual was useless for this information.:(
 
Steve said:
I don't know, but I will be able to find out easily enough. :D

I recently got a new meter from Radio Snack.

It's a clamp-on meter that does AC and DC amps. :dancing:

.
Click to expand...


I was gonna call you a show off, till I looked at the specs..........................................

Besides being clamp on also measures Capacitance, Temperature and Frequency ;); pretty nice unit for $80 :p


RadioShack's True-RMS Digital Clamp-on covers all your hobby or professional needs. Test AC/DC voltage, current, measure resistance, capacitance, temperature and frequency. Continuity, autopolarity and overload protection for you and your meter. Plus, it meets UL61010-1 Safety Requirement CATIII 600.
Click to expand...
 
Only got a chance to play with it a little bit before leaving on my next assignment, but I am reasonably impressed with it. :o

I will be home in a week, I can get some current measurements on the various bikes (with their varying amounts of accessories) if you wish. :D

.
 
That would be nice Steve. I know I saw some extra stuff on Junior.
bwringer has an inductive meter, but I suspect I won't be using it for this bout of 20 degree weather.
 
Last edited:
koolaid_kid said:
That would be nice Steve. I know I saw some extra stuff on Junior.. ...
Click to expand...
Actually the only "extra" stuff on Junior is the fairing and luggage. :o

There was a cigarette lighter in that fairing, but it was not connected.
The "new" fairing has speakers, but again, they aren't connected, either (yet). :-\\\

.
 
Well, blazes. You would think by now I could read. I meant Angel then. You were riding Junior at RRR, weren't you?
 
Yes, sir, I was. :D

"Angel" did not go very far, as 'she' donated her r/r to TCK, so Mrs. Steve ended up riding with me, on the back of "Junior".
action-smiley-083.gif


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Since this question is relay related (that almost rhymes) I thought I would post here rather than start another thread.
I know I have perused a thread which discussed using a relay to power the entire fuse box. I have also seen a thread which discussed a relay which would turn the headlight off while starting the bike. Unfortunately I have been unable to find either one. I have tried here in Electrical as well as Popular Technical Info.
Anyone remember where these threads are?
Thanks in advance.
 
I don't use a relay to power the fuse box, but I do have a headlight cut-out relay on "Angel". :D
There is, however, a relay that powers the accessory terminal strip on the other side of the bike.

Might end up with one on Junior, too. I need to repair or replace the fuse box, might end up with a new one from Eastern Beaver. It has two terminals that are unswitched (run one to the ignition switch, use the other for an accessory) and six that are powered by a relay that is switched by your ignition switch. Kinda pricy, but very nice. :-\\\

You want a drawing for the cut-out relay? :-k

Or pictures of the relays and terminal strips? :o

.
 
Thanks for the offer Steve, I found a copy of the drawing, and the relays/terminal blocks I have down cold. Onward thru the fog...
 
My Yamaha has a neat feature for the headlight.

A relay controls the headlight and it is turned on by the stator. A diode rectifies on leg of the stator and it kicks on the headlight when the bike starts. So when cranking ( or kicking) the engine the headlight doesn't drain the battery.

When the engine stops it stays on for a little bit then goes off. I plan to incorporate this into my Suzuki this winter because it's a real good idea.
 
duaneage said:
My Yamaha has a neat feature for the headlight.

A relay controls the headlight and it is turned on by the stator. A diode rectifies on leg of the stator and it kicks on the headlight when the bike starts. So when cranking ( or kicking) the engine the headlight doesn't drain the battery.

When the engine stops it stays on for a little bit then goes off. I plan to incorporate this into my Suzuki this winter because it's a real good idea.
Click to expand...

If you are going to use a relay to power the headlamp , why not wire it NC powered from the ignition SW. Relay is energized by Start which turns headlamp off during cranking. See attached for the concept.
 
posplayr said:
If you are going to use a relay to power the headlamp , why not wire it NC powered from the ignition SW. Relay is energized by Start which turns headlamp off during cranking. See attached for the concept.
Click to expand...
I have another drawing of exactly the same thing. I have it installed on my wife's bike.

headlightcutout.jpg


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