Arnold Howard on thu 1 apr 04
The life of a mechanical, clicking relay can be extended by making sure that
the relay doesn't overheat. The relay is a small electromagnet similar to
the type you probably made in 8th grade science class. When the controller
sends a signal to the relay, the 12-volt electromagnet closes spring-loaded
contacts, sending power to the elements.
If you ever replace a relay, take the old one apart to see how it works. You
will see the very thin copper wire that makes the electromagnet. If that
wire gets too hot, the insulation on the wire will melt and short-out the
electromagnet. A chattering noise is a sign that a relay is about to fail.
A loose wire connection can overheat a relay. When you replace a relay,
examine the plastic body. If it appears melted or burned, check the wire
connections. A loose connection causes a tiny electrical arc that gets very
hot. When you replace the relay, make sure the wires are tight, or the new
relay will fail from the same loose connection. Also, it would be a good
idea to replace the wire terminal that overheated. Push-on connectors can
lose their spring tension when they get too hot. Once they lose their spring
tension, they can get loose again even when you squeeze them with pliers to
make them tight.
An alternative to the mechanical relay is the mercury relay. It lasts a very
long time, because it has no mechanical contactors to wear out.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P.
arnoldhoward@att.net
From:
upon listening to the clicking sound i heard it getting more and more
muffled. i called orton who manufactures the auto-fire and found out that
the relays had gone. i fore about two to three times per week and was
suprised that it took two and a half years to burn out. has anybody else
found that the relays go in such a short time. and is there anything that
can be done to extend the lifetime of the relay switches.
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