Relay Purpose ... ?
I frequently read "check your relay" in threads here on the rvnet. I've read several Google explainations and still don't understand their function. In very simple layman terms ...... could someone ex...
Forum Discussion
Dale.Traveling wrote:
A relay is basically just like a switch with added stuff to turn it on or off. There are two parts to a relay, a electric magnet and the switch part.
A relay can be used to switch something that has a heavy load such as head lights. A dashboard switch heavy enough to handle the power and not melt would be pretty bulky and wouldn't fit in the end of the turn signal.
So when you turn your head lights on a small switch sends low power to the relay coil which turns into a magnet that moves the switch to send power to the head lights.
Relays come in all shapes and sizes. The shore power transfer switch uses relays to switch between the generator or shore power. The engine starter solenoid is basically a relay. Be very careful swapping relays that may look alike. You really can't be sure the relays are identical unless you cross the model numbers. A turn signal blinker looks like a relay but works very differently. Swap it with a relay and you'll have lots of problems.
Did I confuse you more?
Absolutely no confusion ... a good beginning to an understanding.
