Tuesday, Aug 30, 2005 at 08:14
Good explanation. No complaints about that.
See if I can add a little more without creating confusion :-)
The relay is an electronic switch, switched by a small ampage current. Ampages less than 1 amp can switch the relay, but does need to be around 12 volt. (Sometimes 10 volts will switch a relay.)
Using a relay means you can put the main switch (relay) near the spots and have less distance for the high ampage wire to travel, and less voltage drop. Instead of the high ampage wire travelling to the dash and where ever else, a low ampage wire and switch is mounted on the dash. And the relay makes it easier to put a low ampage controlling connection into the high beam circuit.
Just in case you don't know the difference between ampage and volts. Simple explanation. Think of a
water pump. Voltage is the pressure put out by the pump. Ampage is the volume of
water pumped. You can have high pressure down a small pipe, (high voltage, low ampage), or low pressure and high volume large diameter pipe (low voltage, high ampage). I know, a bit simple for some, and it is more applicable to DC, but lets not get into that. We are talking 12v car systems :-) Hope I havn't bored everyone with that.
regards John
FollowupID:
381893