Plain and simple, a starter relay

[Rick]

Hey sailors, just wanted to get it summed up for a caveman (who has found fire oh and a voltmeter). Yes Stu, Ed, and Ross, I went back through the archives and studied! Just want to be sure. So, im not at the boat but... I purchased a starter relay which has two posts for battery leads, one for starter switch, and a fourth to ground. My set up is two perkos, one for house (can combine) and one for starting (again have house and starter bat cables run to combine if neccesary off,1,2,both). Cable runs from there to starter solenoid. And starter switch wire to solenoid. So....

Step 1. Cut off all power, remove watch, ring, and get parts and tools together. Place "see real good" glasses in front of eyes.

Step 2. ........

Cheers

 

[Ross]

2. Move one wire at a time from old solenoid to new solenoid.
3.Remove old solenoid and try not to drop and screws.
4. put new solenoid where the old one was and tighten the screws.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I'm on probation from the archive police.

 

[Rick]

Ross, are you saying skip the relay and just put in a new solenoid? Im thinking I have a voltage drop in the wiring run. After all, it is a Hunter. The solenoid I believe is fine. Want to try a relay.

Cheers

 

[Stu Jackson]

OK, nice Step 1 and then???

It would really help if we could understand what it is you are trying to do.

 

[Ross]

Re: OK, nice Step 1 and then???

My solenoid is a relay. I have a push button on the control panel the energises the solenoid that completes the circuit from the battery to the starter. many years ago before they put a "bendix" in the starter the solenoid engaged the pinon gear on the starter with the ring gear on the flywheel and before that there was a long spring loaded shaft with a flat knob on the inside end that you pushed and linkage from there engaged the pinon and the closed the contacts on the starter switch.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Starter Relay for Rick

The KnowledgeBase is now "Owner Modifications" and my several year old article about the starter relay is still there:
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&cat_id=38&aid=7175&page=article&mn=37-cutter

But the schematic is not viewable due to problems in the conversion. So I have added it here. Feel free to write with any questions. Guaranteed to solve the problem.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Wire job

While you can use the old wires from helm to starter and rig a secondary solenoid I'd recommend running a new SINGLE WIRE from the helm to the starter "start" terminal. Hunter has no less than 14 connections between the battery plus and minus in this circuit. At 0.1 volts drop per connection that is 1.4 volts (10.6 volts to the solenoid) on the best of days. Add a little salty sea air and some time and you can easily see 0.3 volts per connection or 4.2 volts drop. Considering that the voltage is only about 12 when the starter is cranking that puts you at 8ish volts which WILL NOT hold the Bendix engaged.
By making a single wire run between the helm and starter you get rid of about 10 of the connections.

To answer your question the circuit you are trying to switch is the one that is supplying power to the solenoid control circuit. Use the old control circuit (with all it's voltage drops and corrosion) to control the new solenoid and use the "power" terminals on the new solenoid to control the old control circuit. Get the 12 volts+ hot from the old solenoid.
Basically you are doing electrically what you do with a screwdriver to "jump" the solenoid.

 

[Rick]

Re: Wire job

Ed thank you. I remember your post from a while back but honestly couldnt find it. Read a pluthura of other ones. As I posted, im not at the boat but home in phoenix, so I will assume my stock yanmar starting system is as per your diagram. Looks pretty simple Can I ground the relay to the engine ground? Looks like a good spot.

Bill, thank you too. And I already have performed that step. I also pony'd up for the solid state 30 amp breaker insted of a fused type. She starts almost always on the first push but.. almost. Just want the added protection.

Stu, sorry I wasnt clear. Perhaps that was the problem. Im suprised you couldnt figure out what I meant.

Ross, of course it is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question. But I did try to ask a better question.

Bill, will let ya know. Going to boat for 8 days in a week. Cant wait

Cheers

 

[JerryA]

Ground?

Please check your "D" post on your solenoid to be sure it really is ground. On many automotive applications, this post supplies 12volts to the coil during starting. In the same application the mounting bracket is the ground connection. Just an FYI before you accidently melt some wires.

JerryA

 

[Stu Jackson]

Jery's point is well taken

Check the solenoid operation before you wire it up so you're sure how it works based on the connected poles. If the body is the ground, instead of one of the poles, then just place the ground wire under one of the feet (instead of having to mount it on the engine). That's what I did with our solenoid for our glow plug circuit.

 

[Rick]

Re: Jery's point is well taken

How do I check the D post? Look at the spec?

 

[JerryA]

Use meter to check

Rick,

You could use your ohmmeter to check. Using Ed's schematic (drawing) check for continuity between "D" & "B", if none, then you are good. As a doublecheck, check for continuity between "C" & "D". If you find a few ohms then you should be ok.

In the automotive application "D" is connected to "B", not what you want. If you have an automotive solenoid, and still want to use it, then Stu's advice will work just fine for you.

JerryA

 

[Rick]

Re: Use meter to check

I bought the relay from QMS, a marine service store in San Diego. Dont believe it is an automotive application. Checking for continuity should be easy enough. Dont want to be sending 12 volts to ground. Thanks much

Cheers

 

[dwain6805]

Hey Rick,

Are you guys going to be in the bay, or are you going somewhere? We're going over just for the weekend and V-Day (you better not forget that one or :cry. Will probably do boat work on Fri and be out sailing on Sat.
If you're in the bay We'll give you a shout (or cell call.).:dance:
Dwain
S/V Dancy
KP44 #279
.

 

[Rick]

Re: Hey Rick,

I have to work Fri but we are planning to fly over saturday. Not sure when. Would love to see the new boat! Do you still have my cell phone number? My old one died. Still same number though.

Cheers