6 volt relay
 

I need a 6 volt relay for thr fog lights on my 36 ford. Anyone have a part number for one or were i can get one

Re: 6 volt relay
 

I use this one for my car:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/09...g?v=1446834758

Bought from Radio Shack for $7.00 here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/09...g?v=1446834758

Although it says 14 volt, it works fine with my 6 volt.

BTW, I don't use a relay on my fog lights, just the ignition switch and everything that runs through there. I run the fog lights off of the headlight circuit breaker through a vintage NOS Ark-les switch under the dash (here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...witch&_sacat=0) and yellow LED indicator light to remind me when they're on. Been using them like that as day time driving lights for thousands of road trip miles and no problems.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9cl8f2iw.jpg

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Sorry to disagree with Henry, but that is not a good relay to use for 6v systems.

The Bosch Relay is a high quality metal cased relay,

but it is fairly expensive, a cheaper

alternative is the plastic style such as:

Durakool DG85B-8011-96-1006-M1

TE Connectivity / Potter & Brumfield 1432873-1

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Funny. I coulda sworn I've run my whole car off of that relay for three years and 50,000 miles as part of my emergency kill system. :confused: Here: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88677

One advantage of the relay from Radio Shack is it is higher capacity - 60 amps vs 30 amps for the others, if that matters at all. Certainly not needed for a couple of fog lamps. In fact, no relay needed at all, as I said.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

X 2 ! That whole thing is an electrical nightmare. DD

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Or, if you like a metal case and made for 6 volt use a horn relay like I do for my halogen brake lights. From C&G for $18.00 here: http://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/cgcat...mber=7ra-13853

http://cgfordparts.com/CATPICS/LOGO/...0035000400.JPG

Same price for the VW relay here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-...jGQhoCLs_w_wcB

But, like I say, you don't really need a relay. I always try to K.I.S.S.*

*(Keep It Simple Stupid)

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Thank you for all the help. My car had a relay in it but it went bad. There were no numbers on it. Since I do not want to reinvent the wheel on the car I I'll get the relay. I do like the idea of the adding an led light.

Jacob

Re: 6 volt relay
 

It's not that you can't use an incorrect part and get away with it sometimes, it's just not the best approach. 12v relays are made for 12v systems and 6v relays are made for 6v systems. Will a 12v relay work in a 6v system? Sometimes, but it does not have the correct latching voltage and is always on the borderline of not latching properly. It can also vary from relay to relay within the same brand. Same thing goes for using a horn relay for a different application. Horn relays are designed for intermittent use where a fog light relay would be considered a constant latched application. It is possible to get by with using all sorts of parts for the wrong application, but not sure what the point of that is. It may work ,it may not work or it may marginally work, just doesn't seem like the best way to do things when the correct parts are available.

I worked in the design of aircraft systems and I'm sure a lot of folks will appreciate that we ALWAYS used the correct specification parts in the aircraft and not something that might work most or some of the time!!!

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Also, probably not an issue but something to be aware of is some relays use a diode internally which can create a problem with reverse polarity on the early Fords. Attached is a diagram for headlights, but would work for fog lights with some modification.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Woah! Relays Smelays. What about the need to K.I.S.S.?
The bane of my existence when I had my Datsun 280ZX was all of the relays that were constantly failing. :(

I rest my case.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Does the bosh relay that is called out have the diode in it

Re: 6 volt relay
 

We use six volt starter solenoids to run headlights, particularly halogens. It takes two, one for high beam, the other low. Old car headlights suffer from voltage loss in the dash switch, the dimmer switch, bullet connectors, etc.so there is little juice left for the lamps. You feed direct battery to the solenoids, and operate them using the original wiring. They are placed on the inside left fender on a small panel. If interested, I can post photos.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

I didn't bring that approach up, but I agree with supereal and in fact that is what I use on my 33 coupe. I always though it was an original idea that I thought up, but after I saw a photo/sketch of the one supereal uses I decided I must of seen it before and had the idea in the back of my mind (ie. stole it!) LOL. The only difference is I use constant current relays and supereal uses starter (intermittent) relays. But he has used them for years (like Henry and his 12v relays), with good success, so go figure.

I mainly like the period look vs the modern square cube especially the black plastic ones. But that is just a personel thing.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

well I found the the boch relay. I got 3 for $32. That should get the fog lights running. I would like to get my headlights brighter. But i read that running a relay on the early ford head lights that are run from the steering column switch is not a good idea. ( I am working on a 36 Ford) What are the thoughts. superreal i would like to see the photos. Thank you

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Why in the world would running a relay for headlights be a problem? Some people don't think they are needed, but that is a different issue, they certainly will not cause a problem. I can post a diagram of the hookup if your interested.

Note: Superreal's set up looks just like the one I use (I think I must have stolen the idea from him!).

Re: 6 volt relay
 

I can not find the old post but I think it had something todo with hurting the switch at the bottom of the colum I would like to see the diagram
Thank you

Re: 6 volt relay
 

I used this method on my 46 and what a difference it made.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Try this, I use this in my 50 F-1. Pete http://www.newark.com/durakool/dg85b...alog&source=CJ

Re: 6 volt relay
 

With a relay setup you are reducing the current through the light switch from full headlight draw to the small current required to latch the relay. That is the whole idea is to remove the current flow in the stock lighting switch. The attached diagram is for a floor dimmer switch, but the earlier wiring would be the same just using the high and low beam wire out of the lighting switch.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Got it thank you.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Jerry you need to put a shortcut for that pdf on your desktop.
Bruce

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Good thread here. It underscores the concept that the use of relays can reduce the hazard of fire in the passenger compartment by restricting [where possible] high-amperage wiring to the engine compartment, can shorten high-amperage wire runs to reduce voltage loss and wire over-heating, and can enable the greater use of smaller gauge wiring to control the relays. All good stuff if done correctly.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

How many amps should you have at the headlights if you are running the stock set up. Before is add relays to the headlights. I am going to check all the wiring.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Glad my original idea works so well for so many. Thanks to Mr. Seery for posting the photo. I needed the relays, as my halogen headlights were weaker than the originals until I fed them full voltage. I made the connections to the headlight loom at the left side of the radiator using bullet connectors. That way, no wires had to be cut, and could be returned to the original quickly. As for cost, I bought the solenoids from C&G for half the price at NAPA, about $25. I also used hem to design and build a control box for the top pump in my '47 convertible.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Here's a *.jpg (photo) schematic diagram of Seery's Bosch relay scheme as drawn by Radio Corp. They indicate use of 30 amp relays. Wire sizes labeled indicate its based on a 6 volt system. DON'T "wire direct to batt terminal" as this diagram says .... wire to batt side of solenoid as Seery said, and DO insert a fuse as close to the solenoid as possible.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Here is an old post of Supers setup I have filed. As far as I know, this is the Original! It's an arrangement I really like. A Barn member sent my the brass strips I used, big thanks for that.

If you look at the photo I posted earlier, I have my relays turned the opposite direction compared to Supers, doesn't matter much as long as you keep track of which post does what on the solenoid you are using.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

That is a really nice setup - clean, simple and well done!

Got the diagrams and part numbers - you boys are FAST! I too have halogen bulbs in my original 32 headlights - they draw a lot of amps, so I need to "upgrade" the original wiring, but not screw it up if I want to take it back to original. I'll probably build something that hides inside the front driver's side frame rail - yet uses the stock headlight control switch for activation.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Another vote for Supereal's setup. A fun weekend project, and it works great. I used copper instead of brass for the bus bars.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Any idea as to where I might buy those solenoids? Thought you might know - save me some time and maybe $$$! Thanks!

Re: 6 volt relay
 

I buy a lot of parts on Amazon, one of my biggest issues is shipping, I always try to get free shipping!

http://www.amazon.com/Continuous-Switch-Solenoid-Marine-Industrial/dp/B0081TGWCC

These are the cross-reference numbers:
Accurate7-1018
Cole Hersee24097
Johnson Electric5117040 & SO51170
Prestolite15-44, 15-5 & SAS4601

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Thanks for all the info. Working on the fog lights. Think I will do this set up next

Re: 6 volt relay
 

I know this is an old thread, but my question is why shouldn't you run power straight from the battery to the relay? Why use the starting solenoid instead? If you put an inline fuse, aren't you ok?
Thanks.

Re: 6 volt relay
 

Electrically, the two points of connection (battery post OR solenoid lug) essentially amount to the same point, as the two points are CONNECTED directly by a huge battery cable. Voltage should be constant anywhere along that cable. It is simply cleaner and usually more convenient to use a proper wire connector and connect in tandem with the battery cable end on the designated post on the solenoid. Much cleaner than rigging some ugly connection to the battery post. And remember, fuses are designed to protect WIRING in a circuit....NOT the appliance that the circuit is powering such as headlights, a horn, or a radio, etc. DD