Yeah it all makes sense.. I'm no mechanic or electrition but im not completely lost. So, does a relay work with magnets, or what? Because i think my uncle was trying to explain it to me once. For some reason i just cant picture it. I guess i do have to look up a diagram.

And yeah, i was thinking id use a 12 volt switch, and just put it right behind the steering wheel on the right side. Then I could flip it before i turn the ignition, then after the trucks started just flip it right back off. Either that, or put a button switch under the carpet somewhere that i could hold with my foot.

http://radlites.com/switches_fuses_wire.htm

Would that switch work? (The first one). I have one lying around. If not, what should I get?

 

a relay pretty much is a magnetic switch in itself, when you flip your head lights on for example, the low current through that switch is sent through the relay which acivated the high current lines to turn on the head lights, thats pretty much it, remember, voltage cant kill you, amperage can.. you can be juiced with 20,000 volts with only .000001 amp and live to tell the tale.. i believe its .0000333 of an amp that can kill you, dont quote me on it

 

I get the relay thing now.. How about that switch? Would that work?

 

Yes just a switch WILL work as long as it can carry enough current, but like I said it's ALWAYS a good idea to us a relay with a switch instead of JUST a switch. The less current that flows through the switch, the less chance of it melting from over-current.

Relays are awesome. They have so many more uses than just low current to high current control. You can use them to change polarity of a circuit, trigger other devices, shut off other devices, they can be wired to use a momentary push button, but get a constant output. They are great! They are one of the most basic electrical components in the electrical field, but have some of the widest range of uses. Definatly go grab some and start playing with them. Once you learn the in's and outs you'll be amazed at what you can make with them.

 

This is the diagram I made up for a guy that did not want to use his key what so-ever. You'd get in, flip a switch, press the horn button once (wouldn't honk the horn, (it was a security feature)), then press a push button start button (Like a viper) Ended up working great! Just an example of what you can do with relays alone.

Oh BTW to help you visualize this better, the relays are pictured as if you were looking at the pins on the bottom. (85, 86, 87, 87a)

 

oh god now everybody is gna try to do this in their trucks with some .99 cent butt connectors and start somthing on fire....

 

Lol wow, that looks and sounds pretty cool.. but a little too complicated for me. I think il stick to just dropping a switch onto the starter wire, and flipping it off every time i get out of my truck. I have this thing I do every single time before i get out of my truck.. radios off, AC is off, wipers are off, headlights are off.. Check. Then i turn off the truck and get out. So it soulndt be too hard to get in the habit of flippin that switch Just another safety measure.

Im still a little confsued as to what would make it a bad idea to use the certain switch. I know, using one that can handle the volts and amps or whatever.. but will the one i posted a link to work? If not, then specifically what should i get?

 

No. I would NOT recommend putting thatswitch directly in line with the starter wire. It's only 3amp. You need at least 10A. It will work fine if you use a relay though. And will be safer. I made a small diagram to show you how to hook one up. It's very easy!



I recommend fusing the "+12V" wire with a 10A fuse as well. Or connect it to an ignition wire in your steering column, which is already fused. (You'll be right there for the starter wire anyways)

 

You can use a switch BUT it has to be aswitch that is rated for 15AMPS not 5 and not 10 http://www.doityourself.com/invt/u509726Ive done many alarms and no this shouldn't harm yourtruckI would use the switch to interrupt the starter wire which is yellow...make sure you solder EVERYTHING...