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I want to use my SmartGauge to enable the domestic 12V electrics and disconnect them if the SoC gets below 50%.

For this I need a relay. This relay has got to be reliable or I will have no lighting etc!

I like the sound of the relay that Gibbo provides with the SmartBank. Is this suitable?

He refuses to sell it except as part of a SmartBank. Annoying, but it is his call. If I buy one with a SmartBank, is there any market for the unwanted SmartBank?

Or is there an alternative available anywhere?

Any thoughts?

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I bought the same or a very similar one for another use - I think it is / was called a contactor, rather than a relay, and it is rated at 200A continuous (British amps not Chinese amps !) Its a pretty big and chunky device with huge contacts - I will see if I can find where I got it / more info and edit this.

 

ETA - This was what mine looks like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Albright-Contactor-SW200A-16-12V-CO-/391356924556?hash=item5b1eb0c28c:g:SngAAOSwgQ9VzfdU

 

 

As Giant says, you need to know what the max current it will need to pass is, fuse accordingly, and get a relay / contactor that will more than handle that current....

 

 

Nick

Edited by Nickhlx
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I wouldn't have thought there's anything special about that relay.

In order to find a suitable part the main thing you would need to know is the maximum current it will have to carry and switch. How much current can your domestics collectively draw?

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Bearing in mind this relay is going to be energised all the time the domestics are on, I would be concerned about the power consumption of a big relay like that. It might be better to get a bistable (latching) relay ie it is powered to switch it on, powered to switch it off again, and in the mean time not powered.

 

Something like this:

 

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-latching-relays/6900808/

 

Edited to mention that if you want it controlled by a SB you might have to add some electronics to briefly apply the switching power when the SB changes state, but I'm sure that is within your capabilities!

Edited by nicknorman
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I wouldn't have thought there's anything special about that relay.

So why did Gibbo go to so much trouble to create/organise it, and why would he be so protective about a run-of-the-mill relay?

 

So he will not sell you one on it's own. Not much use if you buy a boat with a smartbank fitted with a failed relay. One to be avoided.

The whole point of it is that it is NOT cheap chinese rubbish and doesn't fail.

I'm sure they would sell you a replacement on production of a failed one if that ever happened.

 

Nick & Nick - thanks, I will follow it up.

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Nick & Nick - thanks, I will follow it up.

 

What is slightly confusing is that the relay I linked to is in RS' "non-latching relay" section and the description is a "non-latching relay" but that is pants, it is a latching relay as the datasheet and connections shows

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The relay is available from the manufacturer, only problem is I can't remember the makers name.

think it begins with B....

 

I think it's Albright.

Also available from Warn winch distributers. (Although, for this application, a latching one might be better)

 

 

e.t.a Beaten to it!!

Edited by Iain_S
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What is slightly confusing is that the relay I linked to is in RS' "non-latching relay" section and the description is a "non-latching relay" but that is pants, it is a latching relay as the datasheet and connections shows

 

Yup, I noticed that and brought it to their attention.

 

Tony

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