Source for RELIABLE relays?

[flightlead404]

I'd like to get a handful of spare regular and diode protected (red) relays.

After reading the horror stories of the Chinese made junk, and reading the atrocious reviews (and frankly atrocious responses from our host) I'd like to find a recommended source of good reliable relays so I can keep a few spares. Hopefully they won't be made of solid gold.

Can anyone recommend a source with which they have had good experience?

[Robt 394]

Not what you want to hear. Always had good luck with Pelican. Best source for air cooled parts. Try your dealer or Suncoast and then compare.

[Speedy Squirrel]

So, Pelican sells three relays, and you bought the cheapest POS communist Chinese one, saving yourself 10 bucks compared to either the Porsche ones, or the Porsche supplier ones. May I suggest you buy one of the other two?

[JFairman]

I think all consumer electronics including all the stuff you are using to read and write these internet messages is made in China and has been for a while now.

If you slowly squeeze the red cap on a red or black relay with pliers it will usually pop off in one piece and can be pushed back on later with a little clear silicone glue to keep it on.
While it's off you can check it out and look at the contact points and see if they are burnt or corroded. You might be able clean them up a little to the point it will function for a while with a small knife file or tiny piece of fine sandpaper if you can get at them.

I took an old dead one, removed the cap and soldered a piece of wire across the two internal terminals that you would cross to make the fuel pumps run if the yellow relay in back goes bad.
Then glued the cap back on and wrote what it is now with a sharpie pen and keep it in the glove box as a backup or for testing.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by JFairman

I think all consumer electronics including all the stuff you are using to read and write these internet messages is made in China and has been for a while now.

If you slowly squeeze the red cap on a red or black relay with pliers it will usually pop off in one piece and can be pushed back on later with a little clear silicone glue to keep it on.
While it's off you can check it out and look at the contact points and see if they are burnt or corroded. You might be able clean them up a little to the point it will function for a while with a small knife file or tiny piece of fine sandpaper if you can get at them.

I took an old dead one, removed the cap and soldered a piece of wire across the two internal terminals that you would cross to make the fuel pumps run if the yellow relay in back goes bad.
Then glued the cap back on and wrote what it is now with a sharpie pen and keep it in the glove box as a backup or for testing.

Thanks JF. I plan on doing that, which is one of the reasons I'm shopping for some relays.

I am not experiencing any issues now, and have original 30 year old relays, but I have no spares and want to keep one or two black and red each. I'd rather have good ones as spares.

[slyguy]

If the old ones work might be best to keep them in place until failure. Thought I'd replace everything with new and 2 out of the 4 'new, more expensive' red relays failed almost immediately. I keep a pop top test relay as well with no soldering, pressing the switch confirms or eliminates many of the is my fuel pump running or not concerns.

[Mocker]

Are the OEM/Porsche branded relays problematic, or is it just the Uro branded ones that are crap?

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by Mocker

Are the OEM/Porsche branded relays problematic, or is it just the Uro branded ones that are crap?

According to John Walker (long time, pro mechanic/shop owner and frequent poster in the 911 Tech forum), and several others like him, all of the available new relays are made in China, regardless of branding, and are of lesser quality than the old ones.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

According to John Walker (long time, pro mechanic/shop owner and frequent poster in the 911 Tech forum), and several others like him, all of the available new relays are made in China, regardless of branding, and are of lesser quality than the old ones.

I guess the question is: Are they equivalent crap? Or is some crap, crappier?

[pkabush]

There's a guy on Seattle CL who sells NOS made in Germany relays. I bought one for a spare. IIRC it was just under $30 shipped. LMK if you cantfind him. I think I saved his contact info.

[flightlead404]

sure pm me or post it. thanks

[911nut]

Even though factory electrical parts are marked up to absurd levels, I've found that they are the most reliable and have the best quality.
Specifically, on my 965, I went through several back-up light switches which were allegedly manufactured by the factory supplier and sourced from Pelican. All quit working in a short amount of time and one had so much plating on the threads that it wouldn't thread into the transmission case. I finally gave up and bought a factory part and had never had an issue with that switch.
Same story for the oil pressure sender. The "factory supplier" sender our host sells never read correctly but the factory part is perfect.

[Speedy Squirrel]

I have had the same experience as 911nut with a number of mechanical and electrical parts. The added cost isn't always just a name markup. The OEM may require specific materials/QC checks/tolerances that the mass market part does not.

In the case of the Red general purpose diode protected relay, I have not experienced any problem with the Porsche part, but I have a sample of one.

Nothing but bad reviews on Pelican for the URO red relay; not a good sign.

For the Black relay, Standard Motor Parts makes a good replacement, part number RY572. It is widely available.

[Mick_D]

I'm wondering if we can come up with a complete replacement for the relays altogether.

[Speedy Squirrel]

We sure can. Google automotive solid state relay.

[911nut]

Originally Posted by Speedy Squirrel

The OEM may require specific materials/QC checks/tolerances that the mass market part does not.

I work for an OEM and that is definitely the case, at least here.
The Service Parts people track quality issues closely and aren't afraid to change suppliers if they aren't performing.
We do testing of aftermarket parts in my field (diesel fuel filtration) and some of the aftermarket stuff available at the national chain auto parts stores can do a lot of damage to a vehicle.
You get what you pay for.

[JFairman]

If you pop the top off a good black relay and solder in a diode between the same internal posts as the red one I wonder it it will work like a red relay. Heat sinking the legs of the diode with needle nose pliers while soldering.