Turn Signal Relay

LanceB
LanceB Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi all,



Trying to finish up on my wiring. Hooking up a three wire turn indicator and looking at teh wiring noticing that it calls out for a relay. Is there a Napa part number, or is there something else I should know.



Thanks,

Lance

Comments

  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    A relay's pretty unusual in a typical turn signal circuit. Any chance they might be really referrring to the flasher unit?
  • LanceB wrote:
    Hi all,



    Trying to finish up on my wiring. Hooking up a three wire turn indicator and looking at teh wiring noticing that it calls out for a relay. Is there a Napa part number, or is there something else I should know.



    Thanks,

    Lance
    What model Hudson are you working on?
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    Here is the diagram that I am working from
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I think the earlier Hudson turnsignals used the relay to isolate the stoplight function from the turnsignal function in the taillights (though I could be wrong). With only one bulb in the taillight, the bright filament shares both the stoplight and turnsignal functions, and you have to isolate them somehow. Thus, the relay.



    In later Hudsons, turnsignals on cars with one taillight bulb managed to do this mechanically, in the switch. No relay required. These switches have 6 or 7 wires coming from them. In some of the later Hudsons, two separate bulbs are used in the taillights, thus one bulb becomes exclusively the turn signal bulb. Much simpler switch, only 3 wires I think.



    If you have trouble finding the correct relay, you might consider simply looking for one of the later 6- (or was it 7-?) wire switches. I think they look similar to your earlier switch and they will work just as well. In fact, I have a 1952 switch hooked up on my 1937, and it looks like it was made for the car. Only possible hitch is the cancelling system; I don't know if the cancelling pin in your 1942-47 Hudson would work on, say, a 1952 switch. I myself simply attached a hose clamp to the steering shaft, and it works just dandy as a cancelling cam.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Jon is correct ... when you place the turn signal switch in the "left" position, for instance, the relay isolates the left stoplight filament from the stoplight switch and connects it to the turn signal flasher. The relay also makes the connection from flasher to the appropriate front fender lamp turn signal filament. That relay is a special type ... probably be tough to find one, but you can try. The alternatives would include Jon's suggestion above, or using four general purpose 6v relays that could be wired to work.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    You will need a relay for each side, with three contacts, Normal open, common, and normal closed. The common terminal is connected to the brake light. The normal closed is to the brake switch, and the normal open is to the flasher. Hence when the brake is applied, the circuit is through the normal closed and common terminals. When the flasher is on, the relay is energised, and the circuit is from the normal open contacts (which are now closed) and the common terminals. Konphewzed???

    Geoff.
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    Thanks everyone. I think my basic engineering background will help figure out what everyone has suggested. Now to find a couple relays.
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    For the relay try this company:



    http://www.leedselect.com/parts-odds.html#relays
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    Thanks Mars, I'll give them a call.
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    Thanks Rick but I already have a stock 3 wire Hudson indicator in place. Just need to replace the tube that covers the wires, mine is a bit beat up. Keeping my eyes out for one.



    Regards,

    Lance
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    No, looking today or tomorrow.



    There are a couple pics on the Hudson, Essex, Terraplane group, but you need to go 6 pages deep in the pictures to find mine.



    Thanks for asking
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    Thanks Rick, yes orange was the flavor of the month back in that discussion. Almost ready to turn the key then put the hood on. Still have to get new tires, the old ones are very cracked and I would not trust them around the block.
  • LanceB wrote:
    Thanks Rick, yes orange was the flavor of the month back in that discussion. Almost ready to turn the key then put the hood on. Still have to get new tires, the old ones are very cracked and I would not trust them around the block.



    Hey Lance was wondering if you know a good friend of mine Jack Landers the owner of NEC Electric ?
  • LanceB
    LanceB Senior Contributor
    Yes I do. He has done a lot of work for the company I work for over the years.
This discussion has been closed.