Relays and fuse boxes

[Whutface]

Whenever I see peoples forums posts or articles or whatever when they are installing aftermarket lights or something they usually use a relay? Why not just run from the battery to a toggle to the lights? Why have a relay between the toggle and the lights, I don't understand the purpose of the relay.

Also they usually do some weird shit when installing electronics. Like shove a wire in with a fuse to get the 12v. Why not just go straight from the battery or a distribution block?

[sonikaccord]

You don't want that much current running through a toggle switch so they use a relay to switch the lights on, just like your car.
The fuse is there to protect the wire from shorting to ground and preventing a fire.

[2.2litrebeater]

Also they usually do some weird shit when installing electronics. Like shove a wire in with a fuse to get the 12v. Why not just go straight from the battery or a distribution block?

Smokey says only you can prevent car fires . Fuses are there to keep the wiring from melting and causing a fire. Why do you think they factory uses them instead of just skipping the fuse box? If you are using a distribution block or hooking a wire straight to the battery have a fuse within 18 inches, closer would be better. Don't hack your wiring.
Relays do sort of the same thing, prevent over loading of switches or wiring. example in paragraph 3 http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/t...hts/index.html