Relays for RT Turn Signal System

[karlos]

Getting ready to wire up a Russ Thompson turn signal in a MK4 with the Ron Francis harness. Couple questions:

1. From what I can tell the recommended VW relay 111-941-6583 is, um, not so recommended. I haven't been able to find a lot of alternatives. What are you guys using? Anyone have experience with one of these? http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/wiring/relays-flashers/latching-double-throw-relay-30018

2. Anything else I should know before I dive into this?


Thanks much.

[michael everson]

Looks exactly like the one I buy from Advance auto for half the price. Ask for part number R3018
Mike

[edwardb]

Just to be clear, that latching relay has nothing to do with the turn signals. It's used to for the high-low headlight beams. Many guys use the momentary pushbutton switch on the end of the RT stalk to trigger high-low, but there are other options. The standard RF harness shows a toggle switch on the dash to trigger high-low. Using a relay is another approach.

The actual turn signal switching provided by the RT assembly is a simple double throw switch doing exactly the same thing as the switch shown on the RF harness schematic.

[karlos]

Looks exactly like the one I buy from Advance auto for half the price. Ask for part number R3018
Mike

Yep, sure does. That you know of, no issues with premature death like some of the other cheaper alternatives? Thanks Mike.




Just to be clear, that latching relay has nothing to do with the turn signals. It's used to for the high-low headlight beams. Many guys use the momentary pushbutton switch on the end of the RT stalk to trigger high-low, but there are other options. The standard RF harness shows a toggle switch on the dash to trigger high-low. Using a relay is another approach.

The actual turn signal switching provided by the RT assembly is a simple double throw switch doing exactly the same thing as the switch shown on the RF harness schematic.

Yes, thank you. I do plan to use the pushbutton to control the hi/low beams so the relay looks to be required. From what I've been able to gather the genuine OEM VW relays with the metal case are reportedly high quality units. Pretty pricey, though...

[michael everson]

I have had a few fail, but I think I figured out that it was the way I was mounting them. I was wire tying them to something. I think it was stressing the mechanism somehow Now I use Velcro. No more problems.
mike

[WIS89]

Karlos-

I think you will find that they hold up pretty well. The Bosch (VW) are good quality, but I am not sure that they are vastly superior to the others. In fact, I wouldn't be all that surprised to find they are made on the same lines as the cheaper models, and just branded for Bosch. I would doubt that their internals are all that dissimilar.

Buy the cheaper ones, install carefully, and I think you will be fine. I use the more modestly priced relays, and have not been disappointed.

Regards,

Steve

[karlos]

Thanks guys. Decided to go with the R3018 from Advance. About $25. Very much appreciate your help.

-Karl

[CraigS]

I had the VW relay die on me after 8 yrs. Good thing is that all you lose is the ability to switch from low to high. Admittedly you might end up on high, but you can still get home. And, once you note the part number, they are fairly widely available. So I would just use it and not worry.

[karlos]

One more question: anybody know of a source for a relay socket? Like this but with the pin-outs to match the R3018.


http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51262&d=1457156293

[DaleG]

One more question: anybody know of a source for a relay socket? Like this but with the pin-outs to match the R3018.


http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51262&d=1457156293

http://www.delcity.net/store/Relay-Harnesses-&-Materials/p_305

http://www.waytekwire.com/products?pSearch=relay socket&sc=1402

You can also buy pins for the type you show to make it a "male" socket.

[karlos]

Thanks Dale. I nosed around at the links you provided but do not see anything to fit the R3018, which has an unusual pin arrangement (see below).

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51286&d=1457299774