I learned a tidbit the hard way over the weekend while trying to clean up the wiring of my Hella FF200 HID lights by using a different relay. Bosch relays usually have 4 terminals on them with various numbers like 30, 85, 86, 87, and it seemed one in my toolbox had a 5th terminal with and additional 87a.

So, I know that 87 is the hot lead to the thing you want to power up. I have two HID lights and this one relay in my drawer with an 87a on it. So I think it’s just an extra 87…..a convenience so I don’t have to try and stuff two 12 gauge wires into one connector.

Wrong! Seems 87a is a circuit that’s on when 87 is off….or in other words if you wire them both to a positive….you pop your 30 amp fuse with an audible “phump….” and an old-fashioned that makes you think the paparazzi are behind you. Not good…..especially when you do it thee different times before giving up for the weekend.
A little pep talk Monday with good ol’ Warchild made me see the error of my ways and I even went on to find a good website explaining relays.

A little trimming of wires Tuesday, a big yellow female crimp spade connector, some shrink tube later, and I’ve taken a step forward without any steps back!

Now it’s on to converting the horn to a relay, powder-coating new foot peg lowerers, and installing a new lighted Sigma I all got for Christmas.