|
Our standard automotive 30, 50 and 60 Amp "ice cube" relays
are all Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT), 12 volt, continuous
duty, with a unsealed dust cover. These are manufactured
by either Bosch, Bueler or Tyco,
and have a 30 to 60 Amp rating on the normally open
contact. There are a lot of imitators, but many will
not meet the SAE/DIN requirements.
Note that the current rating is for 250,000 cycles under rated load. Don't be
misled by some ads for high amperage relays
in the "ice cube" configuration.
A relay can switch even 100 Amps quite
a few times before the conacts in the relay are fried, but to pass the SAE and DIN tests
it must
meet
all
the performance specs for every operation for the full cycle
count. The SAE and DIN test requirements are quite
rigorous, and are designed to make sure your relay is reliable
in service.
We
stock the "ice cube" relays up to a 60 Amp rating, although
the Quick Disconnect terminals that attach the wires
to the relay are only good for 30 Amps continuous
current, and in fact most of the QD terminals available
are unreliable even at 30 Amps continuous.
So what we're trying to say is do not use relays
with plug-in or quick- disconnect (QD) terminals over 30
Amps continuous, even though the relay is rated for more, because the terminals won't handle the current,
whether it's a Bosch, Bueler, or anyone else's relay.
Both the relays and the terminals will handle a short term
current overload, ( a few seconds at 60 Amps, for example,
to start up an electric fan ), but beyond that is asking for
trouble.
If you
need more than 30 amps, check out our power relays and solenoids;
we carry 85 and 200 amp continuous duty solenoids, and they
use a 5/16" stud connection
that will handle the current.
Another precaution: these relays should be mounted with the
terminals down or sideways. If they are mounted with the terminals
up, they can collect water inside the case if the area
is pressure washed or splashed a lot. This is true for most
relays of this type.
Fully sealed relays are available, but unless the
relay is identified specifically as fully sealed, it is the
standard dust proof and splash proof
( if mounted pins down ) but not sealed relay.
They come either with or without a mounting flange, see photos.
The flange mount sockets for the relays interlock to form
a multi-relay mounting block, and are available either pre-wired,
with 12 inch leads, or with crimp-on
contacts for a cleaner installation.
The non-flange mount sockets are also available either pre-wired,
with 12 inch leads, or with crimp-on contacts for a cleaner installation.
The D.C. Solenoids, technically very high-current relays,
are either continuous or intermittent duty. The two continuous
duty solenoids are rated for 85
or 200 amps continuous;
the intermittent duty is rated for
starter motor duty, at 750 amps make, 1000 amps break.
All the Solenoids are available in either a grounded ( 3-Terminal)
or isolated (4 Terminal) coil configuration. The 3 terminal
operates when 12V Coil voltage
is
applied
to the coil terminal. The 4 Terminal solenoids can be wired
to operate in any mode, including energized when the coil is
grounded. More details are available
on request, including manufacturers spec sheets.
|
