Diagnosing Solenoid Issues

[Unca_T]

Hi y'all-

I'm curious about something. I installed the solenoid in my van it took some doing because I couldn't find an open keyed fuse
under the hood. I ended up bringing it into the cab and hooking it up to a switch which runs off of the 12 V lighter thing. Flip
the switch and you hear the solenoid click on.
I figured I turn the van on, flip the switch and I should see a boost in the amps from the battery. I took a reading
before, and then flipped the switch. The reading was the same so I think it's not working. Which basically means
I've done something wrong.
Do y'all know some of the more common things beginners do wrong when putting these things together?
I thought, "Well it doesn't hurt to ask."

Wishing everyone a great day.

 

[highdesertranger]

one wire to main battery/alternator. one wire to house battery(s). one wire to energize solenoid 12v positive. is this how you did it? did you put any fuses in the system? highdesertranger

 

[Unca_T]

Yes, basically. House battery to fuse to solenoid to fuse then starter battery.

 

[highdesertranger]

so do you have a volt/ohm meter? first check both big terminals on the solenoid with it off. they should read battery voltage on the both sides according to the battery they are hooked to. then check the small terminal with it off it should read zero. now start the vehicle and energize the solenoid the small wire should read main battery voltage or close to it. both the large terminals should read about 14.2. is that what they read? highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

Is it a 3 post (2 large, 1 small) or a 4 post solenoid (2 large, 2 small)?  If it's a 3 post is it solidly grounded to the frame. If it's a 4 post, did you run the ground wire and do you have a good ground.

My first solenoid we screwed up from the get go by taking the nuts off the posts because we had set aside the little package of nuts that came with. The nuts that were on the solenoid were there to hold the parts in place and the insides fell apart when we took them off... Duhh!.

The second one installed only worked for a while because it was too light a duty rating for the system.

3rd time was a charm - heavy duty, properly fused and wired to a lighted switch on the dash...thanks  again John!

If you put fuses in line (which you should have) did you check the fuses! Were they the right size fuse. I first tried using those inline fuse holders  but found them to be pretty much useless. You might have blown one powering it up if that's what you were using.

Are you sure you've got power to the switch you're using? Hooking it up to the '12V lighter thing' doesn't sound like a good place to put it.

 

[Unca_T]

so do you have a volt/ohm meter?  first check both big terminals on the solenoid with it off.  they should read battery voltage on the both sides according to the battery they are hooked to.  then check the small terminal with it off it should read zero.  now start the vehicle and energize the solenoid the small wire should read main battery voltage or close to it.  both the large terminals should read about 14.2.  is that what they read?  highdesertranger

Is this where I put the writing? Hm, okay I'll just go with it.

Highdesertranger-

I do have a volt/ohm meter and I've been learning how to use it too.They are pretty neat. Thank you for those ideas. When I'm done with work I'll go check those out. I never would have thought to do that. Thanks.

Trevor

 

[Unca_T]

Is it a 3 post (2 large, 1 small) or a 4 post solenoid (2 large, 2 small)?  If it's a 3 post is it solidly grounded to the frame. If it's a 4 post, did you run the ground wire and do you have a good ground.

My first solenoid we screwed up from the get go by taking the nuts off the posts because we had set aside the little package of nuts that came with. The nuts that were on the solenoid were there to hold the parts in place and the insides fell apart when we took them off... Duhh!.

The second one installed only worked for a while because it was too light a duty rating for the system.

3rd time was a charm - heavy duty, properly fused and wired to a lighted switch on the dash...thanks  again John!

If you put fuses in line (which you should have) did you check the fuses! Were they the right size fuse. I first tried using those inline fuse holders  but found them to be pretty much useless. You might have blown one powering it up if that's what you were using.

Are you sure you've got power to the switch you're using? Hooking it up to the '12V lighter thing' doesn't sound like a good place to put it.

The 12 V cigarette thing is a long story. I just replaced the old one with a new one which now is just a charging station and a 12 v outlet. However, the usb chargers had these little blue lights which were always on so I wired a simple on/off switch in. My solenoid is on that too. It doesn't take to much to just power it on, so I figured it's cool. Flip the switch and you can hear it come on.
Thanks.
Trevor

 

[John61CT]

Standard ciggie sockets are a dangerous abortion,  avoid like the plague! 

Blue Sea has a nice socket design that twist-locks with the matching plug, but will also accept standard ciggie plugs for smaller (<10A) loads.

Also the BMW/ Hella/ Merit/ Powerlet "Euro-style DIN" (ISO 4165) style is very robust.

Anderson plugs for high amps. If you standardize on one of the last two types, there are adapters for devices with ciggie plugs.

 

[frater secessus]

Unca, if the house battery is already charged to the same or higher voltage than the alternator puts out, you won't be seeing flow to the house battery. I'm sure you've already thought of this but thought I'd mention it.

 

[Unca_T]

Y'all aren't going to believe what it was. I mean can I get any dumber? I don't know. I say that in an effort to laugh at myself not down myself.
Okay so when I put all the wiring in I didn't connect the wire leading to the alternator because there was no need at the time. I hadn't finished connecting the solenoid.
I forgot about it and thought everything was connected.
Good Golly. ****bangs head on the wall****
I'll be connecting that today, because it's my day off.
Thanks everyone for your kindness and best wishes.
Everyone here is so open and free with their knowledge.

----Unca_T

 

[Wabbit]

Unca_T did you connect the wire leading to the alternator? I only ask because sometimes people think there is no need to when they haven't yet connected the solonoid.

 

[highdesertranger]

oopsie. glad you got it figured out. highdesertranger

 

[frater secessus]

Totally something I would do. Thanks for sharing the solution; others in the future will surely benefit.

 

[rvpopeye]

Great news ,,,good to go !