Question about using a Relay or not?

[nulle99]

Hi all.
I'm going to fit some auxillary lights to my GS, and I will do it right
I have bought a Centech Fuse panel from Nippy Normans and the relay kit.
This one
The question is; I have thought of connecting the auxiliary lights directly to the fuse box via an on/off switch. Is it a good idea? - Or do I have to have an separated relay in the "auxiliary lights circuit"?

Thanx.

/Br Ulrik

 

[jkersh1]

You have the relay, why not use it? The relay will minimize wiring length and interruptions, simplify installation, and get you (marginally) better performance from your lights.

 

[Ian J Hartley]

The convention is usually:

Power - fuse - relay - lights

Control of the relay can be either via a switch or by a pick off from your existing lights circuit.

That's the way I do it.

 

[nulle99]

Thanks for the reply. So recommendation is not to power the lights from the fuse box?
/ br Ulrik.


Kind regards Ulrik

 

[fatnfast]

As long as the cable current rating is suitable for the lamps you can connect directly to your fuse box. The switch must also be able to handle the proposed current of course.
Relays can offer a way to use low current to switch high current. If I was fitting conventional halogen spotlamps I would use a relay to avoid the need for a big chunky on/off switch. If I was fitting LED spots, I would not bother with a relay.