Panasonic 12V 4 pin soldered relay

[GoBeau]

Hello everyone, thanks in advance for allowing me to join this group. I’m hoping someone can help me out in either sourcing out this Panasonic 12V relay used in a Kubota RTV flash unit for turn signalling or find a replacement relay that would do the same job. The entire relay module cost $160.00 to replace when all that is failing in the unit is one of two small Panasonic relays part number ACTB1F1A03. I have attached a few pictures for anyone to review. I’ve tried now for the last two weeks to source the relay out. From what I can gather from Panasonic, this relay is designed and sold only to a specific Japanese part manufacturer that makes this specific flasher unit for Kubota. I am assuming that the flasher has a left and right side since only one side of my turn signals was failing. This particular relay only has 4 pins that are soldered to a small PCB board. The problem was on the failed side of the turn signal, the lights were just staying on and not flashing. I was hoping that a $5.00 - $10.00 relay would be an easy fix but finding the specific Panasonic relay seems to be the bigger issue. I have several years of experience in electronics and computer repairs. Actually started repairing computers by tracing failed components, unsoldering them (chips with up to 48 pins) and replacing them. Now a days, there’s not one computer tech that ever requires to solder or unsolder anything in a computer! (LOL). Anyways, hoping someone can help… see pictures attached for more details.

 

[sagor1]

No specifics, but the relay seems to be part of the ATCB series. The 1F is probably some form factor designation, the 1A is the contact arrangement. The 03 may be some form of voltage tolerance like "must pick up" or "must drop out" voltages. (just a guess...)
Some ACTB datasheets show the same pin arrangement as yours, but I cannot find the 1F types, sorry. They are commonly called automotive TB series of relays.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://mediap.industry.panasonic.eu/assets/download-files/import/ds_61280_en_tb.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwieh-XXq9eIAxXEMtAFHfUKLq4QFnoECA8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2jvyZHNV0jCjMJLhSSt3gf

For lamp control, the ACTB1L1 (or L2, L3) may be a suitable replacement, but check the pin spacing and overall size of the old relay you have first. Measure the coil resistance as well, see if you can find one that matches in the datasheet. The 03 on the old relay may mean "L3" type. (again, just guessing...)

 

[augustinetez]

ACTB1L3 should be a suitable replacement - the "3" relates to relay coil resistance and the OP's original is a 225Ω version.

The "1" is the contact form and is Form A - SPST.

Datasheet attached - I have highlited the replacement relay data on page 3 (I did post all this in the now deleted duplicate post originally).

Measure the physical size of the original against any replacement to make sure it is correct.

I did note there appeared to be burnt tracks around the relay tracks and diode to the left of it that may need investigating.

 

[GoBeau]

No specifics, but the relay seems to be part of the ATCB series. The 1F is probably some form factor designation, the 1A is the contact arrangement. The 03 may be some form of voltage tolerance like "must pick up" or "must drop out" voltages. (just a guess...)
Some ACTB datasheets show the same pin arrangement as yours, but I cannot find the 1F types, sorry. They are commonly called automotive TB series of relays.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://mediap.industry.panasonic.eu/assets/download-files/import/ds_61280_en_tb.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwieh-XXq9eIAxXEMtAFHfUKLq4QFnoECA8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2jvyZHNV0jCjMJLhSSt3gf

For lamp control, the ACTB1L1 (or L2, L3) may be a suitable replacement, but check the pin spacing and overall size of the old relay you have first. Measure the coil resistance as well, see if you can find one that matches in the datasheet. The 03 on the old relay may mean "L3" type. (again, just guessing...)

Thank you very much for the detailed response. Do you know a supplier that I can order these from?

 

[sagor1]

Sorry, I can't find anyone that has it in stock at the moment. Maybe some automotive parts store can source one (or equivalent)

 

[GoBeau]

ACTB1L3 should be a suitable replacement - the "3" relates to relay coil resistance and the OP's original is a 225Ω version.

The "1" is the contact form and is Form A - SPST.

Datasheet attached - I have highlited the replacement relay data on page 3 (I did post all this in the now deleted duplicate post originally).

Measure the physical size of the original against any replacement to make sure it is correct.

I did note there appeared to be burnt tracks around the relay tracks and diode to the left of it that may need investigating.

Hello, I’m still trying to find a replacement relay based on the information you’ve provided and can’t seem to find a Panasonic ACTB1L1A03 or the ACTB1L3 relay you have suggested. I was able to find several ACTB1LH3A25’s but I’m not sure what the H in front of the 3A25 stands for and could also find several ACTB1L2A09 but these are L2 and not an L3 as you have recommended. My intention is just to order one of these types of Panasonic relays to try out in the replacement is the ACTB1L1A03 and see what happens. Worse case scenario that replacement relay will blow, I don’t think it will harm anything else in that electrical circuit. Again, this is basically a signal light relay that is used to flash the turn signals on and off (blinking) turn signal lights on a Kubota side-by-side. Which one would you recommend? You seemed to be very knowledgeable with these types of relays and how they are used and clearly understand the specs on them way better than I can. Thanks in advance.

 

[GoBeau]

Forgot to add that I can also find some ACTB1LB3A45 but again, these are not the L3 you recommended with this one having a LB3 added in the part number but these are all 4 pins and the pin sizes and locations seem to all be a match. Thanks.

 

[vtech]

Panasonic Relay numbering system seem to be rather confusing...
Your main base number is ACTB13.

In your finds, "L" refers to lamp control which has to do with inrush current and "H" refers to heat resistance/sealed. The in between "F1A0" numbers stamped on the part are irrelevant.
However, before condemning that relay, in looking at your pictures, it looks like possible fluid damage?
To make matters worse, there is definite damage on the traces as the connecting rivet(s) has been pulled out.--more likely during removal or perhaps corrosion?
Even if you find a replacement, board has to be repaired first.--see attached.

As far as cross reference, there are probably other manufactures but it can be very time consuming in finding a similar rating /foot print product. and one last thing, just because it is a lamp controller, it does not necessary mean it needs the "L" type. You can verify that based on if the "NC" is tied to + or not.

 

[GoBeau]

Thanks vetch, I appreciate you trying to help me out. I understand what you are saying but you also did not reply to my primary question of “would one of these relays that is available work in the place of the original relay which cannot be found? Would you have a guess on what could have leak in that area? Could it be a neighborhood capacitor or the relay itself? The possible liquid marking seems to right underneath that relay. I can also conquer that there seems to be damage around the solder river on some of the relay pin soldering points. That may have been caused by myself when unsoldering the relay but the back side of the board looks fine and should still be connected to the trace. I can double check that with a meter to make sure the lines are not broken. I’m more concern right now in finding a suitable relay replacement that would meet or exceed the specs of the original and work in its place. I will be honest, I don’t know what pins are what on that relay, so I can’t identify the NC pin or any of the other ones and don’t have a clue on how to test it. I can understand that you want me to see if there is + voltage on the NC pin but to test this, I would have to put another relay in place and connect the board back up in the vehicle and power it up to check this, would I not? Thanks again for trying to help out.

 

[augustinetez]

Forgot to add that I can also find some ACTB1LB3A45 but again, these are not the L3 you recommended with this one having a LB3 added in the part number but these are all 4 pins and the pin sizes and locations seem to all be a match. Thanks.

There seems to be a flood of them on Ebay etc, they could be a fake as I can't find any reference to what the 'B' in the LB refers to at the moment and there are too many sellers using the exact same identical photo of the part.

It appears that form of relay is getting very hard to get at the moment.