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I have a 48 F-1 which is 12v system and starts with the ignition switch
but would like to use a started button. I bought a new one button and now I don't know if I can use it? Do the make a two wire button like the original one?
Thanks for the help.
Woody
The one you bought is an original type switch which grounds out the starter solenoid. You can only use this one with a one post solenoid, on small post and two large post that the battery and starter cable bolt to. If you have a 12 volt solenoid most likely it has two small posts and this type switch won't work. You need to find a button with two posts, one for incoming power from the battery and one to send out power to the solenoid.
I don't know when they stopped using a separate starter button or when they might have switched to a two post button switch, if Ford didn't have one maybe you could use a button from another brand of car.
Careful! Some one-post solenoids are looking for power from the starter button (two-terminal switch), while the early style solenoids with one post are looking for a ground (one-terminal switch). I believe the split is 48-50 and 51-52, with the late models using power to the solenoid. You can ground one side of the late-model switch to use it on an early, but hooking up power to a one-terminal switch will start a fire.
The only way I know to get the old style button to work on a new style starter solonoid is a relay. Energise the interface relay (something like a head lamp high beam relay will work) by grounding one side of the coil while the other side of the coil is attached to battery. Use a normally open set of contacts to get the battery to the starter.
Marty
Buy the older one post style solenoid and wire it up like it was originally. They'll hold up under 12 volt, you'll only be switching it for a few seconds. I ran mine on 12 for a whole summer and never had problems.
Mac's has them for $25 but you should be able to get them almost anywhere.
That's the easiest way to go. You might want to disconnect the solenoid wire from the ignition switch you're using now or just remember to turn it only one notch.
I think my best bet would be to try and find a original type looking switch with two wire terminals. Marty the interface relay might work too.
Thanks
Woody
The original is the one wire. The two wire is later, if you have a button with two wires, all you need to do is run a wire from the battery to the button and from the button to the solenoid. If you would like to see if your button is capable of this, you can OHM it. If the circuit is open without the button pushed and closed with it pushed, it should work with what you want to do.
He has the one wire type. The easiest way to use it is to change out the solenoid. Using an additional relay to make it work is extra work and expense. There's a rule in the controls industry, use as few terminations as possible, less chance of a connection failing.
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