When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I bought some new see through relays on azon. 5/$13. I bought them because they looked cool with all the copper. But to my surprize, the see through was not some aesthetic improvement. When the relay is active a GREEN led lights up so you can see if the dang relay is actually working. How cool is that?
Sounds pretty cheezy, unless they're mounted where you can see them while driving, AND want that kind of distraction. Otherwise - what's the point? You'd know if it's not working because... Wait for it... Whatever it controls wouldn't be working.
And what is that green LED actually showing you? Does it come on when the relay coil is powered? Or when the relay contacts are in some particular position? If so: which position? And does polarity matter? Some relays switch the +12V side of the circuit; others switch the return (ground, -12V) side.
Sounds pretty cheezy, unless they're mounted where you can see them while driving, AND want that kind of distraction. Otherwise - what's the point? You'd know if it's not working because... Wait for it... Whatever it controls wouldn't be working.
And what is that green LED actually showing you? Does it come on when the relay coil is powered? Or when the relay contacts are in some particular position? If so: which position? And does polarity matter? Some relays switch the +12V side of the circuit; others switch the return (ground, -12V) side.
Green led is on when it is in use.....or supposed to be in use. So a horn would only light up when you honk. Standard cases are black. who knows how to troubleshoot a relay when its off the panel. Not me, and not almost everyone else. These will likely become the industry standard over time.
Everyone who understands how simple a common relay is, and anyone who buys a relay tester, and anyone who reads the Ford service manuals knows how easy it is to troubleshoot a relay. But how does that LED help you troubleshoot that one? If it's not working the way you expect, and the LED comes on, what would that tell you about the problem?
Clear plastic will never be the industry standard because the types that are cheap enough to use as a relay cover aren't robust enough to withstand underhood temperatures or chemicals. Clear plastic has existed for more than 6 decades - how much longer do you expect it will take for it to catch on in this application?
Everyone who understands how simple a common relay is, and anyone who buys a relay tester, and anyone who reads the Ford service manuals knows how easy it is to troubleshoot a relay. But how does that LED help you troubleshoot that one? If it's not working the way you expect, and the LED comes on, what would that tell you about the problem?
Clear plastic will never be the industry standard because the types that are cheap enough to use as a relay cover aren't robust enough to withstand underhood temperatures or chemicals. Clear plastic has existed for more than 6 decades - how much longer do you expect it will take for it to catch on in this application?
Clear plastic has been around for 6 decades but wide spread use of led's have not. Its not essential, but if the cost is the same, I'll take the one with the led. but thats just me.
See through Relays
