CLASS RACER FORUM - Starter solenoid

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Re: Starter solenoid

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireSale (Post 582084)

Another trick: If you use a Ford style solenoid fender mounted to send power to the starter, there is a reverse voltage surge that travels on the small wire back to the starter button when the switch is released. This is caused by the collapse of the magnetic field in the solenoid and can damage the starter switch or wire to it. I replaced a push button with thin gauge wire with a beefy momentary toggle switch and 14 G wire because of this. You can also wire a diode in that small wire to block reverse current if you understand those things.

This is a good point, I've had it happen but not with every GM starter when you use a Ford solenoid.
Another thing you can do is use a Ford style solenoid and use it as a relay to trigger the 12ga wire to the GM solenoid on the starter. You should use a relay on a GM starter switch circuit if you use a micro switch for a neutral safety switch.

Re: Starter solenoid

You guys are making this way to hard. Simply put a jumper wire between the battery post on the starter and the start terminal. Now when the “slave solinoid” is triggered it sends voltage to both terminals! Wow! How simple can you get. No small wire even going to the starter to get burned by the headers. Battery cable going to the starter is only hot when you try to start. Takes very little amperage to trip slave, and the solinoid on the starter is trip by battery voltage and amerage. Win-win situation.

Re: Starter solenoid

And use a Cole-Hersee HD all metal continuous duty rated slave solinoid. The plastic ones can and will stick and your starter stays engaged. None of these solinoid are as well made as they once were. I cut open a few and an old Ford style laying in my toolbox for probably 30-40 years was all copper inside. New ones use cheaper materials. It’s a very good way to keep long run battery cables from being energized all the time. Much safer ....

Re: Starter solenoid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painter (Post 582129)

That's exactly what Firesale posted, but he also warned at how doing this can cause the starter to stay engaged at times.

Re: Starter solenoid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painter (Post 582129)

I have friends at the track who rebuild starters and alternators for a living and they say this shortcut will shorten the life of the starter. When you hit the switch with a jumper in the mix you send the 12 volt signal from the battery that is intended to spin the starter (up to 1000 amps) to the starter solenoid as well. That only requires 12 volts 5 to10 amps to engage the gearing and energize the motor. It will burn out the windings in the solenoid. It's just an electromagnet and a pushrod. A starter mounted solenoid has studs of different sizes for a reason. Wire it like the manufacturer intended and it will last longer.

Re: Starter solenoid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman (Post 582166)

That's exactly what Firesale posted, but he also warned at how doing this can cause the starter to stay engaged at times.

Kind of. The starter positive post was always hot and shorted against my steering. Here is the simple wiring diagram from an MSD Dynaforce starter. The one I ran the starter positive through a Ford solenoid. A little too simple.