The Ford Barn

john hamilton · 06-18-2013, 03:39 PM

Wanting to hook up a pair of driving lights. I got an Essex 16-1 headlight relay which has a 20 amp fuse on it. This is not a horn relay but a relay made for the constant use of lights.

How do I hook it up? The contacts are marked G, S, L and B. Thanks.

BillM · 06-18-2013, 03:55 PM

Just guessing:
G = ground
S = switch
L = lights
B =battery

Bruce Lancaster · 06-18-2013, 03:55 PM

I suspect Ground, Switched (hot wire from dash switch controlling the lamps), Lights, Battery.

Henry/Kokomo · 06-18-2013, 04:01 PM

This is going to be a bit of guesswork but, here goes. The relay with 4 terminals will have two "control" terminals and two "controlled" terminals. When you turn on the lights via a switch, current is sent to the relay. This current in the relay energizes an electro-magnet that closes the two "controlled" contacts. I would say that the "S" contact would be wired to the Switch and the "G" contact would be routed to Ground. The "B" contact would go to a voltage source - or Battery - and the "L" contact would go to the Load - your driving lights.

When you turn the switch "on", the relay energizes and the "B" and "L" contacts are connected, thereby sending voltage from the battery to the lights. The driving lights would have to be grounded through their mounting bolts or a separate ground wire run from their base to a suitable ground.

Hope this helps.

john hamilton · 06-18-2013, 04:13 PM

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At least we all agree. Thanks, guys. I will do a test then hook the up.

06-18-2013, 03:39 PM	#1
john hamilton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 241	Headlight relay Wanting to hook up a pair of driving lights. I got an Essex 16-1 headlight relay which has a 20 amp fuse on it. This is not a horn relay but a relay made for the constant use of lights. How do I hook it up? The contacts are marked G, S, L and B. Thanks.

06-18-2013, 03:55 PM	#2
BillM Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 504	Re: Headlight relay Just guessing: G = ground S = switch L = lights B =battery __________________ My web page: http://myplace.frontier.com/~wgmumaw/

06-18-2013, 03:55 PM	#3
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Headlight relay I suspect Ground, Switched (hot wire from dash switch controlling the lamps), Lights, Battery.

06-18-2013, 04:01 PM	#4
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: Headlight relay This is going to be a bit of guesswork but, here goes. The relay with 4 terminals will have two "control" terminals and two "controlled" terminals. When you turn on the lights via a switch, current is sent to the relay. This current in the relay energizes an electro-magnet that closes the two "controlled" contacts. I would say that the "S" contact would be wired to the Switch and the "G" contact would be routed to Ground. The "B" contact would go to a voltage source - or Battery - and the "L" contact would go to the Load - your driving lights. When you turn the switch "on", the relay energizes and the "B" and "L" contacts are connected, thereby sending voltage from the battery to the lights. The driving lights would have to be grounded through their mounting bolts or a separate ground wire run from their base to a suitable ground. Hope this helps. __________________ Henry

06-18-2013, 04:13 PM	#5
john hamilton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 241	Re: Headlight relay Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) At least we all agree. Thanks, guys. I will do a test then hook the up.