DIY Si
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 posted on 8/5/09 at 10:43 AM |
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Waterproof(ish) relays
My car seems to have a habit of eating its main beam relay. It's not the wiring or anything like that doing it, it's because of where
it's sited under the scuttle panel. If I'm out in the rain, or it rains and I've not got the car sheeted up, the relay can get
dripped on. Most of the time it's fine, but eventually it fails. Does anyone know of either a supplier of splash/water proof relays, or a way of
waterproofing one. I could move it somewhere else in the car, but it would be lots of bother and were it is now is quite convenient. Any ideas folks?
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 10:45 AM |
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Surely it would be better to try and solve the problem rather than cure the symptoms?
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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DIY Si
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 11:17 AM |
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I agree, but it would mean sealing the scuttle front panel to the scuttle and then sealing the lot down on the chassis. Only thing is the two panels
can not be removed/moved together, as the wiring and fuel pipe runs through front panel.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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r1_pete
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 11:18 AM |
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Can you not move the relay, or fabricate a cover for it?
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DIY Si
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 11:20 AM |
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I could move it, but it would a fair bit of bother, and it's nice and easy to reach where it is. A cover or similar could be an option though.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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blakep82
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 12:00 PM |
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maybe one of those plastic boxes you get from maplins, with one face cut out for wires (the hole goes at the bottom in the car) you put the relays
inside the box, keeps the wet off
________________________
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don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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iank
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 12:04 PM |
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I'd agree with Blake, a decent (IP65 or similar) box with all the relays and fuses inside, wiring going in through a suitable gland/grommet.
That's my current plan for keeping the electrics dry when splashing through muddy puddles.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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ken555
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 12:49 PM |
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Put it inside a balloon.
Feed it in the neck, then cable tie up.
Common practice in the RC Car world.
[Edited on 8/5/09 by ken555]
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 01:11 PM |
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Most of my relays live in a box like this - this one's from Vehicle Wiring Products, but loads of people sell them:
It's reasonably waterproof (it has a rubber seal) - certainly splash-proof.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 01:34 PM |
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Relays should always be mounted with the pins facing down.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 01:43 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Relays should always be mounted with the pins facing down.
That's a bold statement!
I've seen them in almost every orientation apart from upside-down in all sorts of tin-tops. This is both under the bonnet and in the passenger
compartment.
If there's a chance that they will get splashed then it is a good idea to mount them pins downwards as it means the relay cover
won't have any seams exposed to falling water and water can drain out of the connectors, but there's no compulsion about it.
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02GF74
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| posted on 8/5/09 at 01:48 PM |
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http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/dd/Jaguar%20XJ8%20-%20XJR--Electrical/556/RELAY £ 7.19
TBH, you should seal up the relay youself with PU - the pins, from memroy, are moulded into the base and the base clips to the relay case.
Place it in a plastic bag, and job done.
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wilkingj
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| posted on 11/5/09 at 12:47 PM |
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as its under the scuttle....
Locost approach would be to cut the bottom of a round plastic bottle (old style fairy liquid or similar - not the drinks bottle type of plastic)
then unbolt the relay from the scuttle, a quick hole in the side of the plastic cup shaped bit, and you have a waterproof cover (put on opening
downwards with the relay up inside it).
I would also fit a new relay, and seal with some hot melt glue - wonderful stuff!.
Cheers
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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