Below is some data and a couple posts copied from my 9 page polaris thread. A member @Vendicator went to the trouble of posting and since recently there has been a few more cases I thought it would help to explain the difference.
First incandescent lights have what is called inrush current, it is roughly 10X that of running amps. Secondly automotive bulbs are rated at 12VDC -so the Kawasaki uses 55 Watt. At 12.9 VDC let us say it is 60 watt- Inrush is 60W X 10 = 600 watts - divide that by 12.9 VDC = 46.51 amp DC for say 3 to 5 milliseconds. Note the rating is 20 amp inrush and 15ms max note they rate the contact at 60 amp-this gets much more technical. The second thing, note the size of the relay, the coil is 320 ohms, that produces heat, the voltage drop across the contacts produces heat. For that physical size, 20 amp is about the limit. I replace the relay externally with a 40 amp rated relay, physically twice the size, and that is why my fix is better.
G8SE-1A4-H Datasheet
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It appears to be the left column 225 ohms, although the 1A4-H has no listing in my source.
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OMRON AUTOMOTIVE RELAY MOUNTING TEMPERATURE
Abstract: G8SE omron door lock relay relay 12VDC datasheet omron omron relay 12VDC car power window relay 12vdc with diode automotive relay omron car power door lock relay relay omron diagram
Text: Sub-Miniature Automotive PCB Relay G8SE Sub-Miniature Automotive PCB Relay General purpose automotive PCB relay. High capacity relay. High heat resistance. Available Types Type Contact form Recommended loads G8SE- 1A4 -SK 12DC (320) SPST Motor, Resistive Contact Data Continuous carry current (max.) 20A Inrush current (L/R=7ms; 15ms max.) 60A Contact value drop (Initial value) 50m Ratings/Specifications Rated voltage 12VDC Operating
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First incandescent lights have what is called inrush current, it is roughly 10X that of running amps. Secondly automotive bulbs are rated at 12VDC -so the Kawasaki uses 55 Watt. At 12.9 VDC let us say it is 60 watt- Inrush is 60W X 10 = 600 watts - divide that by 12.9 VDC = 46.51 amp DC for say 3 to 5 milliseconds. Note the rating is 20 amp inrush and 15ms max note they rate the contact at 60 amp-this gets much more technical. The second thing, note the size of the relay, the coil is 320 ohms, that produces heat, the voltage drop across the contacts produces heat. For that physical size, 20 amp is about the limit. I replace the relay externally with a 40 amp rated relay, physically twice the size, and that is why my fix is better.
G8SE-1A4-H Datasheet
It appears to be the left column 225 ohms, although the 1A4-H has no listing in my source.
OMRON AUTOMOTIVE RELAY MOUNTING TEMPERATURE
Abstract: G8SE omron door lock relay relay 12VDC datasheet omron omron relay 12VDC car power window relay 12vdc with diode automotive relay omron car power door lock relay relay omron diagram
Text: Sub-Miniature Automotive PCB Relay G8SE Sub-Miniature Automotive PCB Relay General purpose automotive PCB relay. High capacity relay. High heat resistance. Available Types Type Contact form Recommended loads G8SE- 1A4 -SK 12DC (320) SPST Motor, Resistive Contact Data Continuous carry current (max.) 20A Inrush current (L/R=7ms; 15ms max.) 60A Contact value drop (Initial value) 50m Ratings/Specifications Rated voltage 12VDC Operating
