Electrical NEWB

[badwithcomputer]

I bought an E locker a while back and didn't hook it up. I didn't get the relay or switch. I have an existing switch and relay but unsure if I can use it because I don't understand how this stuff really works. I can hook red to red and black to black but that's about it.

The switch and relay I have was set up to run 4 100w lights which I have since sold. The locker doesn't require a lot of power, just enough to slide an electro magnet back and fourth.

If I simply use the existing set-up I cut, attach the positive and negative everything should be good? My question is, does the locker DRAW the power it needs? or is it SENT from the battery? This is where I need to learn a thing or two. I don't want to be sending 4 100watt lights worth of power to something the requires as much power as magnet.

My common sense says it's drawn. Amirite? In that case teach me!

[mrg]

It will only use what it needs, you can't give it more.

[skinypedalmasher]

I'm givin it al i gut captain


In my best startrek voice.

[badwithcomputer]

hahaha Bubba came out and gave me a hand. We can't get it to work I have power all the way to the locker but she wont lock up. Even checked to make sure there were no shorts in the connection anywhere and it all came back good. Not quite sure where to go next!

[skinypedalmasher]

Did you buy this locker new? Could the magnetic switch be badd inside the locker itself?

[mrg]

Are you sure you put + and - to the right connections on the locker?

[Steve-O]

What locker are you using? How many wire's do you need to hook up. If the locker has two wires than one wire could be a switched +12v and the other could be negative or one could be constant +12v the other switched +12v leaving the electro magnet to ground through the casing, if you have a three wire locker one could be constant +12v another might be switched +12v and the third would be negative. Are you sure your relay is hooked up correctly terminal 87 should be +12v constant perhaps off the battery, 85 would be negative 86 is +12v from your switch and 30 is output to the locker. When you press your switch does the relay click? if it doesn't it's hooked up wrong or does not work.

Most basic relays can handle a 30-40 amp load depending on the relay some are 30 some are 40 your e-locker shouldn't come anywhere near this load however your lights would have 100 watts / 12v = 8.33 x 4 = 33.32 amps, two relays should have been used in this circuit.

Now here's some information on a SPDT Relay (single pole double throw) which is what you would find with any lighting wiring harness. This relay is an electromagnetic switch, consisting of a coil (terminals 85 & 86), 1 common terminal (30), 1 normally closed terminal (87a), and one normally open terminal (87). Terminals hooking up power (85) and ground (86) allows power to pass from terminal 87 to 30. Basically you're using a low amperage switch in your vehicle to trigger the relay which acts as a high voltage switch. Here's a good diagram www.the12volt.com/relays/relaydiagram25.html and hopefully this wasn't to confusing.

[badwithcomputer]

Locker was used, I was told the locking switch was replaced. We did multiple tests to find out which were the correct + - wires. I am using the Eaton E Locker. There are only 2 wires that come out of the locker. Yes when i flip the switch it lights up and you can feel the relay click over. You lost me on the third paragraph haha. Thanks for the info though!

[mrg]

Maybe contact Eaton and get the wiring diagram just to be sure.

[badwithcomputer]

I do have the diagram and everything appears to match up properly. Although bubba did mention I am missing a diode but that wouldn t stop the locker from working.