I am switching over from 6v to 12v. I need to get a new solenoid and was hoping for recommendations. Curiously everything I have found has been a four post, but the battery and starter would be on the wrong side so the wires would have to cross. Does anyone have a brand or part number they would recommend?

 

Echlin st82 (I think)

I bet the 6 volt solenoid would work fine though.

 

My old solenoid is toast, so I figure I would just get a new 12v

 

You can't mount a solenoid on a firewall, however you can mount a relay on a firewall. A solenoid mounts on the starter motor.

Sincerely,

The nomenclature police.

 

Use this type if you are going to keep the stock starter button. The #3 terminal can be either positive or negative, depending on your system. #1 terminal obviously goes to the starter.

Cole-Hersee #24046

 

!? A solenoid is a specific type of relay, it is an electomagnetic switch, right? Starter relay, solenoid, it's all good. We use a small voltage to control a larger voltage/current. That way double ought cables don't need to be run all the way to the starter switch in the cab.


"The terms solenoid and relay can often be used interchangeably; however, in the Automotive market, the term solenoid generally refers to a "metal can" type, whereas a relay typically refers to the standard "cube" style relay."

http://info.waytekwire.com/blog/rela...s-a-comparison

Best Regards,
The Resistance




What does NumberDummy say?

 

1234567890

 

"I consider Waytekwire a non-credible source for electrical information."

LOL!

Well I've noticed that you say that about anything that disagrees with your solenoid vs relay assertions, seems be most of them. Please keep in mind this is all in good fun, I noticed you have deeply held opinion on this, so I make an effort to get you spooled up whenever practicable.

 

Is the above schematic right? It looks to me once the solenoid or relay is connected to the battery at terminal #3 it would be energized thus pulling in the contacts all the time. That's assuming the battery - cable is hooked up and the solenoid/relay is mounted on the fire wall. I think there should be a 4th connection separating the coil from the + side of the battery and that connection hooks up to the starter button, then the other side of the starter button connects to terminal #3. Or am I looking at it the wrong way? Where as contact #2 is supposed to run to a start button, which would then complete the ground when it's pressed and pull in the coil?

 

Yeah, this is something I'm working on overcoming. I'm a Chief Engineer and am used to working with voltages all the way up to and including the medium voltage range (600V-69k) where there is no margin for error, so please humor me while I try to get over this.
And I still wouldn't rely on Waytekwire.

 

@ Hooler1: Yes to your last statement. With this particular device (Cole-Hersee #24046) contact #2 goes to the starter button that completes the circuit to ground.

 

That is correct. And when the start button is released the circuit opens and the coil is de-energized.

 

Thanks Mixer Man and Effie Trucker! I appreciate your replies. The ground connection confused me. I thought it was grounded right at the solenoid like the newer ones used on the mid 60's thru some of the 80's Fords. But now with your help, I see the whole picture. Best regards!

 

It should be noted that that is also how the OEM Ford relay is configured.

 

It's taking longer than we thought!


Then you should realize these distinctions are somewhat arbitrary - there is no practical difference between a contactor or relay or solenoid as a term of use other than a loose convention - and in any case the meaning of words can certainly change. I don't believe it will kill you, take a deep breath... LOL