Hello Sonny: Since you asked for my thoughts here they are.

Why not test the student in the job he must perform when the relay circuit is on the vehicle? His job will require he troubleshoot a relay circuit problem (already assembled) but with an electrical problems already present. The relay circuit doesn't have to be on a vehicle to teach him how to troubleshoot the relay circuiit. You can use a complete relay circuit such as our Relay Troubleshooting Trainer, H-115, http://www.veejer.com/relay.html. Or you can create your own.

When a tech encounters a relay circuit problem on a vehicle the circuit is fully assembled but does not work. Give him 2 minutes to determine why the relay circuit is not operating properly. Doesn't it make more sense to troubleshoot a relay circuit that building one? Asking him to build a circuit has some value in understanding relay operation but not much help in understanding how a relay circuit fails and how to find the problem with a DMM. Isn't that what he must do when in the shop making a living?

I call this electrical troubleshooting training and believe not enough attention is given to troubleshooting training simply because many teachers do not understand systematic electrical troubleshooting. Hope this helps.

Vince Fischelli
Educator/Instructor/Technical Writer
Veejer Enterprises
Garland, Texas, USA