Curing Relay Longevity Woes
Direct from the pages of
The Automotive Relay School Of Hard Knocks...
One lasts a long time and the other, not.
The most important feature for corrosive (sea shore) climates is whether or not the relay is SEALED. Air tight. Take a look at the images. It all depends on where and whether the relay "cover" is sealed.
The image that has a noticeable break around the bottom on the bottom itself is not sealed. The other image seems to have a break on the cover SIDES but that's really not the case (pun), the relay has been sealed thermally.
The placement of the cover seems to delineate sealed versus unsealed.
How is this important?
If not sealed the inside of a relay turns to green powder and rust. The sealed relay laughs and keeps on trucking. I have not seen an OEM car relay that was not sealed.
Conversely I have not seen "bargain" relays on eBay that WERE sealed.
A trusted name in relays is TYCO. When shopping beware of the trap TYCO STYLE RELAY. Garbage in a pin striped suit.
I tested a genuine Tyco in a pressure cooker a few years ago. The pot was heated until pressure vented with the relay submerged. It was extracted then opened. The inside was as dry as a bone.
There are several other brands of relays out there (usually with a metal not plastic tab) that "seem" to be OK but no guarantees.
End of relay commentary :)
The Automotive Relay School Of Hard Knocks...
One lasts a long time and the other, not.
The most important feature for corrosive (sea shore) climates is whether or not the relay is SEALED. Air tight. Take a look at the images. It all depends on where and whether the relay "cover" is sealed.
The image that has a noticeable break around the bottom on the bottom itself is not sealed. The other image seems to have a break on the cover SIDES but that's really not the case (pun), the relay has been sealed thermally.
The placement of the cover seems to delineate sealed versus unsealed.
How is this important?
If not sealed the inside of a relay turns to green powder and rust. The sealed relay laughs and keeps on trucking. I have not seen an OEM car relay that was not sealed.
Conversely I have not seen "bargain" relays on eBay that WERE sealed.
A trusted name in relays is TYCO. When shopping beware of the trap TYCO STYLE RELAY. Garbage in a pin striped suit.
I tested a genuine Tyco in a pressure cooker a few years ago. The pot was heated until pressure vented with the relay submerged. It was extracted then opened. The inside was as dry as a bone.
There are several other brands of relays out there (usually with a metal not plastic tab) that "seem" to be OK but no guarantees.
End of relay commentary :)
