You don’t have to be a wiring guru to understand the principle of an electrical relay. Quite simply, relays are essentially switches that can be remote-controlled. They work by using the principles of electro-magnetism. When energized by a simple 12-volt source, the magnet will either turn the electrical switch on or off. Want more information
Current is a critical component of any electrical system. In basic terms, current is the flow of electricity. It is quantified in amperage, with “amps” being the unit of measure. It’s important to note that current isn’t the same thing as voltage, so don’t make the mistake of using those terms interchangeably. The proper voltage
Making a splice in a vehicle’s automotive wiring is a critical task, because you’ve got to ensure there’s a solid electrical and mechanical connection that will withstand the vibration and temperature extremes found in automotive environments. Often, these splices must occur in tight spaces where there’s limited access to the wires, which can compound the
Bad electrical grounds are one of the most common causes of electrical component problems. Bad grounds can cause intermittent performance, weak/dim lights, poor starting, bad sensor feedback, weak ignition, and a host of other electrical gremlins. We’ve already made two posts on troubleshooting grounds (you can read a quick grounding guide here, and a more
I did a LS2 swap in my ‘54 Belair. The engine came from an ‘05 GTO. It has a modest stereo system operating on a 10-amp fuse. It has a 16-inch cooling fan that operates on a 30-amp fuse and it will blow a 20-amp fuse if I try one. It also has Vintage Air A/C and all
Electrical connections that come loose, break, and short-out can become a major headache—especially on a car that relies heavily upon electricity to function. If the electrical connections aren’t right, they can cause intermittent problems that are next to impossible to diagnose. A good example is an open or high resistance connection between wires, which can
Fusible links—also spelled fuseable and fusable—serve a similar purpose to a fuse. (You can read more about fuses here.) Just like a fuse, the link is designed to handle a lower current (amp) load than the rest of the system so, in the event of a short or overload, the link will be the first
Fuses are an essential part of any electrical system. They are designed to fail automatically in the event of an electrical overload or short—sacrificing themselves to save your wiring harness. Given the nature of how fuses work, it’s critical that you use the proper amp rating for the circuit. Too low a value and your
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