Opinions for other ignition contacts to relay

sagaboy · Post by **sagaboy** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:56 pm

Does it make sense wire the old worn down ignition contact used for ignition coil, radio, etc., to a DPDT (double pole, double throw) relay for those items?

Towel Rail · Post by **Towel Rail** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:24 am

You mean, so that one throw has the ignition and the other has the radio?

I don't think so. It would disable the radio while the car is on, and you'd drain down the battery listening to the radio!

And bypassing the key (if that's what you meant), is also a bad idea, I think.

sagaboy · Post by **sagaboy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:08 pm

There are 2 switch contacts when the ignition key is turned; one to activate the starter and spring back; the other to supply power directly to the fuse block (with one wire to the ignition coil without fuse) and fused are for any device that we wish to connect to.

Since the ignition key switch contact is getting too old for the ignition coil perhaps I was thinking that the other contact may also be insufficient for a 200watt radio and other devices, therefore, would it be a good idea to connect a DPDT relay for those purpose rather than using the key raw contact--which may be suitable for small items.