Relays and GP's

[Gizmoman]

I figured I'd start a new thread so as not to steal flowmastergfunk's. Besides, he was talking about headlamp relays as 8v-of-fury pointed out.
. . .

They will normalize at 9-11 amps but I think when it is cold at first pull they will draw way more. IIRC someone was saying that they will pull around 60 each and then it comes down really fast, less than 1/2 second to the 9-11 amp area.

I am running all four on the 88 off of a single 40A automotive 4 blade relay.

It still started with no issues last winter. The relay was used when I put it in, and is still fine. I have it setup with power directly from battery, relay, plugs. So like 13" tops.

I have two "standard" 40 amp relays easily available in my new set up and want to unload the long run on the van wiring. I suppose just to be safe I could run two GP's off each.

[burn_your_money]

I see no issue with your plan. It would be easier to use a single relay but if it's a matter of using what you have then go for it.

[Gizmoman]

I see no issue with your plan. It would be easier to use a single relay but if it's a matter of using what you have then go for it.

Well, actually I have already started without any relays, just the four fuses. Then I ran across this thread and started thinking  (my first mistake ). From what I've read though the relay(s) do take a lot of load off the expensive VW timed relay and possibly provide higher amperage as well due to the shorter run.

[mtrans]

or use automat from any startermotor.

[Gizmoman]

Thanks for the idea - I'm sure that would work as well.

I'm trying to keep my engine bay somewhat tidy and I already have a fuse and relay combination panel I purchased. The relay section has room for five relays and I'm only using three for other items. That leaves two for the GP's - all in one place and under a nice cover as well. From what I've learned, one will do it and two will definitely do it.

I'll post photos when I'm done.

[bbob203]

I need to get the glow plugs hooked up my Passat. I'm wondering best option. Id like to do it with the key but that may be more trouble than its worth? Sorry to hijack giz just didn't want to start another thread for it.

[8v-of-fury]

A Stock glowplug relay from the mk1-mk2-mk3 (aaz) cars should be super easy.

[srgtlord]

It isnt too hard with or without a harness. Im almost finished adding a glowplug system to an 85 golf in place of where the fuel pump relay would be. You "could" just add the necessary wires and connectors and place the relay out of site but I wanted more of an original  approach. Set up a  relay test bench  and then do the same thing... but in the car. The hardest part is figuring out where all of the (+) and (-) lines should be connected b ut if you have a bentley you are ahead of the game.

[Gizmoman]

I need to get the glow plugs hooked up my Passat. I'm wondering best option. Id like to do it with the key but that may be more trouble than its worth? Sorry to hijack giz just didn't want to start another thread for it.

No worries bbob - I got the direction I was looking for. Sometimes I ask dumb questions but I'm still learnin

[flowmastergfunk]

No problem on the threadjack, and there are no stupid questions here! It's all learning! You the route I went, but in more detail, the out from the stock timed relay went to the trigger on the universal solenoid. At first, I had two 30a fuses, each running a pair of gp's...but the whole reason I started the conversion was to have individual fuses, in case one plug went bad. When starting with smaller fuses, I had certainly gone through several. Not sure how many, if any, 30a ones I replaced when the plugs were paired, but it shouldn't be a problem if they were individually fused.

I am certainly going to grab another Saab fuse block if I see another one in the junker! Even though smaller style fuses would work just fine, I like that this setup is STURDY and easy to test! The radio shack fuse setup looked like hell. I am sure there are other stereo install type fused distribution blocks that would also work well, but the junkyard setup was definitely cheaper...and it came with free fuses

[Gizmoman]

Do you have a part number for the Saab timed relay? I have been doing a search for one that looks like this
except it would have a timer.

The plan is to have the WAIC pump and cooling fan stay on for a minute after I shut off the engine. This would help remove heat from heat soak and keep things from boiling over.

I can find lots of 12 volt relays with timers but none with the 4 or five blades which would be perfect.

[Gizmoman]

Cool, I added "Saab" to my search and found this
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=5vndmz3pf5shtw2s0z1fcnix&makeid=65@Saab&modelid=6522~20~639~625~~5~5@900%20%20&year=1987&cid=relay@relay&gid=3432@Rear%20Window%20Defroster%20Relay

Once I got the part number, I searched again and found this
http://www.epartsland.com/products/saab-900-classic-defroster-relay-part-8588220-898290-9519133-898459. Wow, from 50 to 10 bucks - Jim Ellis want 100

What I don't know is that it is simply listed as a defogger relay. Don't know if that means its a delay off, delay on, or how long the delay is.
Any help appreciated.

[flowmastergfunk]

uh oh! Maybe I worded something wrong here....but the only think I used from a Saab was a fuse block/ distribution block.

I use the stock VW glowplug relay, but I use the output to go to my HD relay...so there is little to no strain on the stock unit. I ultimately just use it for the timer. Do you still have a working factory relay?

Here is a picture of my setup to help simplify and explain.



The right side of the relay is constant battery power. The top wire on the relay is the factory wire that normally goes to the first glowplug, where it starts the "daisy chain" across all 4 plugs. I use it to trigger the hd unit... so the current to the glowplugs flows from the battery, straight through the HD relay, to the main post of the fuse block(that's the Saab unit), then through those individual fuses right over to the plugs. I hope that helps!

If you don't have a working stock glow relay, I have an extra one and I am in SD too

[Gizmoman]

That's a very generous offer! Mine is fine though.I think I misread your post - you worded it fine. Maybe I just wanted to get a timed relay so bad I changed it in my head.

The good thing is I found a timed relay with the proper terminals by adding "Saab" into the search words - so thanks for that. All I need to find out now is if its an off delay timer, and for how long the delay is.
Not sure why a window defroster would need a delay but that's the description.

[Gizmoman]

Well, I didn't find a lot of info on the Saab timed relay, but what I did find is that it basically works under power - which won't work for me. I believe it's "timed" to turn off before the rear window gets too hot - somewhere around ten minutes.

No biggie, I'll just have to remember to idle the engine for a minute or two after a spirited drive which is good practice anyhow - keeps the turbo bearings from getting coked up.\\BTW flowmastergfunk, thanks for the great photo and explanation of your GP relay wiring. Not exactly what I am doing but close enough!