Date:         Sun, 15 Dec 2013 17:02:42 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Remote Start Hookup - '88GL w/Manual Tranny
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>,
          larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY179-DS23B50E419F019D75AFCB29A0D90@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 01:51 PM 12/15/2013, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>The current is only part of the question. The solenoid is an inductive load
>and when the power is disconnected there is a huge voltage spike. That spike
>can jump over a cheap switch and over time weld the contact(s). You want a
>good snap action switch preferably with a double break contact. There are
>many designed for starter solenoid service.

Good point.  I'm still advocating a plain clip lead (with crocodile
clips and boots), though, in this particular application.  Using one
on the WBX has proved to be a singularly unexciting operation.

Larry Alofs wrote:
>How about putting some sort of capacitor across it to absorb that spike,
>like the condenser in an old fashioned distributor.  With a bad condenser,

Of course that would work.  A regular points condenser would be
great, if perhaps a bit of overkill.

But you can buy mechanics' remote start switches in any FLAPS, so if
you don't want to go the plain clip lead route you really don't have
to reinvent the wheel.

Yrs,
d