Date: Wed, 20 Nov 96 15:53:55 EST
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@www.mwc.edu>
Subject: Re: Aux solenoid/hot start fix article
> Good points, all. I think that the recommendation for the generic Ford
> solenoid is due to the higher throughput amperage than that sustainable by
> the Bosch relays. In cold weather I would think that the starter could
> pull => 50 amps. Will the Bosch relay carry that kind of short term load?
> Anyone know the max starting amperage of a Vanagon starter?
>
Mine was not even a Bosch relay, it was an auxiliary light relay made by
NightBlaster or some such for their fog lights. Rated to 30 amps. It's
done well for me, but I must confess I installed it in summer and sold
the bus a week or so ago, so I don't know how it would do in the dead of
winter but it did great down to 20 F or so. Hoover once told me when I
asked him about this that the draw was around 30 amps. I think the
Bosch relay is only fused for 15 amps and I haven't heard of anybody
having problems.
> >From an empirical standpoint, I've had the Ford relay in place for several
> years and the system hasn't hiccuped once. I would think that if the Ford
> pulled the same activation current as the starter solenoid that I would
> have continued to have problems even after the modification. Not trying
> to be contrary, just my observations.
>From what I gather, it's not exactly the same; it's less but it's not a
whole darn lot less. The relay is a whole darn lot less :) . Perhaps
Bob can give us more specific values to work with because I have no idea
:) . The Ford solenoid hasn't given me any trouble but I've only had
the thing for a few weeks, we'll see how it holds up. I jsut don't like
the idea of anything for a Ford on my VW -- Ford does not impress me :)
..
>
> I think we'll have to see whose solution is best over time. For now, as
> long as the system's functional I'd leave it in place. My philosophy is
> if it ain't broke, don't fix it...;) YMMV, though, of course.
Yeah, I'd say you're right. It's too cold to mess with it now anyway :)
Take care and thanks for the response,
Sean
>
> Jack
>
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