Solonoid Question

[Lars7]

I am in the process of re-wiring my boat.....and I am going to change out the soloniod.
So I have had some people tell me to only get one from a boat dealer or marine one rather than an automotive one.

Just wondering why that is.....what is the difference as they will both do the same job?

I am a newbie and learning all I can so I ask the Gurus here.....what is the difference.....why not an automotive one.

Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Solonoid Question

Marine environment tolerance. Car solenoids aren't built for that.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Solonoid Question

Someone correct me but I though marine solenoids had a floating ground (no pun intended) instead of a direct ground so the solenoid could be mounted anywhere there is no ground.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Solonoid Question

Marine environment tolerance. Car solenoids aren't built for that.

I disagree, the environment under a car hood can get pretty close to a marine environment at times.
As for a floating ground all that's needed is a ground wire from a solenoid mounting bolt to ground.
JMHO,
Mike

 

[F_R]

Re: Solonoid Question

OK guys, here is the real deal. Most OMC motors use a solenoid with two small terminal posts on the front for the solenoid coil. 12V from the key switch "S" terminal is applied to one of them to activate it. However, the second one is connected to a safety switch that prevents starting under certain conditions. That switch completes the coil's circuit when starting is allowed, and the motor will crank. Some later models have the safety switch in the remote control, so the second terminal is merely grounded to complete the circuit.

OK, the car solenoid (Ford). It looks exaxtly like the OMC one, but is wired differently inside. The second small terminal on a Ford solenoid is used to bypass the ballast resistor in the igniton circuit to provide a hotter spark for starting. There is a full 12 volt, high amp source on that second terminal when starting. If you apply that full 12V, high amp whallop to the safety switch on an outboard, it will instantly fry the safety switch. Now you have two problems, the original one-whatever it was- plus a destroyed safety switch, making diagnosis of the problem twice as complicated as it was before you messed with it.

But no matter how oftem I expain it, people will keep on buying Ford solenoids and burning up safety switches. Great sales volume for the safety switch mfrs and Ford solenoid mfrs.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Solonoid Question

My apologies, I forgot about the ground carried back to the safety switch.
Mike

 

[Lars7]

Re: Solonoid Question

OK guys, here is the real deal. Most OMC motors use a solenoid with two small terminal posts on the front for the solenoid coil. 12V from the key switch "S" terminal is applied to one of them to activate it. However, the second one is connected to a safety switch that prevents starting under certain conditions. That switch completes the coil's circuit when starting is allowed, and the motor will crank. Some later models have the safety switch in the remote control, so the second terminal is merely grounded to complete the circuit.

OK, the car solenoid (Ford). It looks exaxtly like the OMC one, but is wired differently inside. The second small terminal on a Ford solenoid is used to bypass the ballast resistor in the igniton circuit to provide a hotter spark for starting. There is a full 12 volt, high amp source on that second terminal when starting. If you apply that full 12V, high amp whallop to the safety switch on an outboard, it will instantly fry the safety switch. Now you have two problems, the original one-whatever it was- plus a destroyed safety switch, making diagnosis of the problem twice as complicated as it was before you messed with it.

But no matter how oftem I expain it, people will keep on buying Ford solenoids and burning up safety switches. Great sales volume for the safety switch mfrs and Ford solenoid mfrs.

Ok now that makes perfect sense to me.....a marine solonoid I will get....not to mention I can now sound like I know what I am talking about when confronted with this issue with someone else.

Ok so now one more stupid question......I went right here to I boats and see they list them by horsepower and year.....then there are 3 or 4 solonoids listed.......does it matter really which one?

Mine is a evinrude lark 35 hp 1959 model 35517.

Thanks again for all those that responded.