[tmb99]

Ok so I've searched the forum and google and can't find an easy to understand answer.

I want to hook up a work light and I have a power direct from the battery via a fuse. The question is should it run to the light via a relay and why.

[royce]

think of a relay as a remote high current switch, so when you want to switch power to something that running power to the switch and then to the load would make the cable very long or when the switch you wish to use cannot handle the load required (which is most dash mounted switches)

You can also use it to change the polarity of stuff and other things

in your case you would mount the relay near the battery and run the power through it then mount your switch wherever you need it and run a pair of much thinner wires between the switch and the relay

If you have a worklight with a built in switch on the body and plan to switch it like that you dont need a relay

[tmb99]

Thanks for the explanation I think I kind of understand.
In this case of high draw item like spotlights it would help by handling the high load to the spotlight so the switch doesn't have to carry that current and possibly burn out?

I hear relays spoken about all the time, theres 204 results in a forum search, so its good to know what they are and when to use them.

[royce]

yep exactly, and then your power only travels battery > light, not in and out of the cabin and so on