Relays, Relays, Relays

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Bruce Wingate

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Bruce
Truck Year
1984
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K10
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350
All - I have a 1984 K10 with some problematic wiring that I am working my way through. There will be additional posts over time about all the little problems.

Right now though, I am working on the power windows and have a relay kit. I also will probably install relays for the headlights and eventually electric fans and their relays.

Rather than having in-line fuses on the battery power supply lines all over the place, is there any disadvantage of mounting a fuse box near the battery so that there is a central place for the fuses? I haven't worked this all the way out yet, but it would be basically a short unfused heavy gauge wire to the fuse panel and then the power wires going out to all the relays.

Thanks.
 

Matt69olds

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455 Olds
I’m on Holley’s mailing list, this showed up in my email. It’s kinda pricey, compared to regular mechanical relays, but compared to other solid state relays it’s pretty reasonably priced.

https://www.jegs.com/i/MSD-Ignition/121/75643-HC/10002/-1

pricey or not, it’s a good idea. Probably overkill for what your wanting.

Del City, The Electrical Depot, Waytek all offer weather resistant relay and fuse blocks. All depends on how fancy you want it, and what your budget allows.

https://m.delcity.net/store/Relay-Harnesses-&-Relay-Connectors/p_305


https://theelectricaldepot.com/fuses-and-related-products/fuse-blocks

https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1402/Mechanical-Relays-Connectors/
 

SquareRoot

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I was thinking about something like this: : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MR64XK1/

I know there are things out there at varying price points - I'm just curious if I will be creating more problems than I solve

Holy Batshit Bruce! I checked out your link and that is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. In fact I already ordered it along with the matching power distribution block. Just what I needed to clean up my battery and all the add-ons (electric fans, LED bar, Headlight relays, etc.). Thanks for the post.

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SquareRoot

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I received the distribution block and relay/fuse block yesterday. To my surprise I am quite impressed with the functionality and quality of these parts. Well worth the cost!
 

Raider L

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@Matt69olds, @SquareRoot,

Man O Man This is what I've needed for a long time for electrical components to give me the stuff I needed to install a second battery and other components, like external lights, power points, and I'm going to put in a second alternator to. I really didn't know where to go. I used to have a couple of electrical places I went for a few things here in town. But they went out of business and I only knew of one place, Moseler's I think on the internet. You can't just go on the net and say who sells electrical stuff? Duh!

I've bookmarked all of these places. I already saw a couple of things that will help me accomplish my task of electrifying my truck. Thanks. And I went on the other thread of @dsteelejr, "Fusible Links vs Maxie Fuse" and told him he needs to look at this thread because it's got all he needs for his task!
 

SquareRoot

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@Matt69olds, @SquareRoot,

Man O Man This is what I've needed for a long time for electrical components to give me the stuff I needed to install a second battery and other components, like external lights, power points, and I'm going to put in a second alternator to. I really didn't know where to go. I used to have a couple of electrical places I went for a few things here in town. But they went out of business and I only knew of one place, Moseler's I think on the internet. You can't just go on the net and say who sells electrical stuff? Duh!

I've bookmarked all of these places. I already saw a couple of things that will help me accomplish my task of electrifying my truck. Thanks. And I went on the other thread of @dsteelejr, "Fusible Links vs Maxie Fuse" and told him he needs to look at this thread because it's got all he needs for his task!

I hear ya. Parts arrived fast and I'm very happy with the quality. I'm itching to get started.
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dsteelejr

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350, 454
@Raider L

That’s nice. Unfortunately, it won’t work for me. My ‘80 K25 has no relays, except the horn of course, and I plan to keep it mostly old school. In the future I might put my headlights on relays, but that’s not in my plans at the moments.
 

Doppleganger

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I was thinking about something like this: : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MR64XK1/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_RB0TCA6Y1FFGN4SPQCM5

I know there are things out there at varying price points - I'm just curious if I will be creating more problems than I solve

Thats what I bought for mine. 2 of them - one for inside on the firewall and the other for under the hood. Think they're the same thing just mount differently.

Just get GOOD relays. The ones that came with these are some no-name chicom product that the only reviews I could find were all not so great. I bought all OE Bosch (still European made).
 

Bextreme04

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1980
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K25
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350-4bbl
I'm using a stock 97 K2500 Suburban under hood fuse/relay distribution block and a painless bulkhead pass-through on my setup. You could probably get the fuse block from almost any junkyard for next to nothing. Those kits definitely look like a great way to do a custom job though. The factory Suburban one bolts to a bracket on the drivers inner wheel well.
 

Bruce Wingate

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Bruce
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1984
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K10
Engine Size
350
Thats what I bought for mine. 2 of them - one for inside on the firewall and the other for under the hood. Think they're the same thing just mount differently.

Just get GOOD relays. The ones that came with these are some no-name chicom product that the only reviews I could find were all not so great. I bought all OE Bosch (still European made).

The relays with the kit are joke. I'm just planning on using the box
 

Corvette Ed

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Eli
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79
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C10
Engine Size
250
Just get GOOD relays. The ones that came with these are some no-name chicom product that the only reviews I could find were all not so great. I bought all OE Bosch (still European made).
I agree,go with Bosch. Omron also makes good relays.
 

TubeTruck

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LQ9
I hear ya. Parts arrived fast and I'm very happy with the quality. I'm itching to get started.
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That looks familiar! I ordered one of these months ago for doing my LS swap.

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AuroraGirl

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Northern Wisconsin
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Taylor
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1978, 1980
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K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I'm using a stock 97 K2500 Suburban under hood fuse/relay distribution block and a painless bulkhead pass-through on my setup. You could probably get the fuse block from almost any junkyard for next to nothing. Those kits definitely look like a great way to do a custom job though. The factory Suburban one bolts to a bracket on the drivers inner wheel well.
Any GM period BEC from the time should be cheap and easy and can be had with different combos. An Oldsmobile aurora has a **** load of smaller side/relay boxes/hangers for some reason while most are internal to the BECs
 

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