Main relay specification

[Josh]

I am looking to to a complete overhaul on my relay/fuse compartment. This includes replacing all the relays, breakers, and fuses. I am wanting to replace the main and acc relays, but I do not know what their rating is. It is obvious they are >30/40A as the pins on the bottom are much larger. Would anyone know the rating?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Pretty sure the rating was 70 amps. They do not see anywhere near that rating.

[Josh]

Thanks Dave. I noticed 70A was a common size and if need be i would look at the schematic and calculate it out. Thanks for making things easy!

I would love to buy the relays from DMC, but I am not looking to replace my 31 year old relays with 31 year old relays, lol

[Chris 16409]

Maybe this will be something Dave will want to offer as a solid state replacement. I believe he made some for his personal car.

[sdg3205]

Josh,

Those relays are pretty bulletproof, which is why they've never been offered as updates. Why update them?

[Josh]

I figured this much. However the bottom of the one relay is bashed in for some unknown reason. So either it was struck by something very hard or it was opened and poorly closed... I want to be confident in my electronics so I am just going to replace both of them.

[sdg3205]

Aaaaahhhh that makes sense!

[Bitsyncmaster]

Maybe this will be something Dave will want to offer as a solid state replacement. I believe he made some for his personal car.

I did custom make mine into solid state a long time ago. I removed the old "guts" and hand wired a circuit inside the old case. I had looked into a source for those large pins and could not find them.

[David T]

I did custom make mine into solid state a long time ago. I removed the old "guts" and hand wired a circuit inside the old case. I had looked into a source for those large pins and could not find them.

Relays are one part that have an indefinite shelf life. The only way they could go bad is if they are physically damaged, bad from the date of manufacture, or were used. These things are rated for millions of cycles. If used within their design specifications they can last the life of the car. That being said, some relays are known for failing. For example, the RPM relay, the fan fail relay (they named that one right!) and the relays inside the door lock module. You should have no concerns buying the relay update kit from your favorite vendor. It also includes some circuit breakers. While working in that area you should add a 10 amp in-line fuse in the big red wire going to the door lock module, take the cover off the fuse block, and leave some extra fuses nearby. Also make sure nothing is plugged into the hot start plug.

[Josh]

Relays are one part that have an indefinite shelf life. The only way they could go bad is if they are physically damaged, bad from the date of manufacture, or were used. These things are rated for millions of cycles. If used within their design specifications they can last the life of the car. That being said, some relays are known for failing. For example, the RPM relay, the fan fail relay (they named that one right!) and the relays inside the door lock module. You should have no concerns buying the relay update kit from your favorite vendor. It also includes some circuit breakers. While working in that area you should add a 10 amp in-line fuse in the big red wire going to the door lock module, take the cover off the fuse block, and leave some extra fuses nearby. Also make sure nothing is plugged into the hot start plug.

Thanks for the input David. I will probably just put the relays in with my next parts order, and save me the time of hunting a replacement down. For now, i will be removing the door lock module and circuit breaker. I will address it in the future when I get my keyless entry system installed. The hot start plug and associated wiring will be removed and terminated at the main wiring bundle.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Thanks for the input David. I will probably just put the relays in with my next parts order, and save me the time of hunting a replacement down. For now, i will be removing the door lock module and circuit breaker. I will address it in the future when I get my keyless entry system installed. The hot start plug and associated wiring will be removed and terminated at the main wiring bundle.

Don't cut the hot start socket off. I sell a hot start relay that plugs into it.

Edit: Ok, I see your going EFI so you won't need the hot start.

[Chris4099]

John sells both OEM (not NOS) and a cheaper aftermarket version here:

http://specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/electrical.html

I never needed one so I can't say how good the aftermarket version is.

[Josh]

Don't cut the hot start socket off. I sell a hot start relay that plugs into it.

Edit: Ok, I see your going EFI so you won't need the hot start.

:)