starter relay

[hogfarm]

I I need a starter relay between the key switch and the starter solenoid ?

[dsraven]

lots of guys don't use them but, since the solenoid is a winding of wire, when you stop "hitting the starter" and it de-energises there can be a back feed of induced power from the magnetic field collapsing inside the solenoid and this can cause arcing at the switch. easier to swap a relay than an ign switch usually.
good either way probably. personally I will use a relay on mine, just me though.

[_Ogre]

i'll ask... why?
typically adding a relay in a gm starter circuit is bypassing another problem

heat soak? do you have a heat shield on the starter?

[mr48chev]

I have to go along with what Ogre said there. Normally you don't need a relay.

I did the Ford solenoid, copper strap on the GM solenoid thing on my 71 because of heat soak and it worked well. If you aren't having hot start problems you don't need it though.

The primary reason for using relays on any circuit is to lessen the load on the switches and wiring in the main part of the circuit. A relay in the starter solenoid circuit could cut down on the load through the ignition switch which may not be a totally bad thing.

[Highsider]

Neatness counts:

[hogfarm]

Just a little one like this to save the switch,between the switch and the starter solenoid

[_Ogre]

ok, but again i'll ask why?
it helps a lot to know what your trying to accomplish
there are 1000 ways to wire in a relay depending on what it's for

[hogfarm]

I retired from the federal Goverment after 35 years of service 3 years ago,I have had a Harley repair/fab shop since 1993.I started building my 54 and 58 Chevy trucks in thesummer of 2015.I dont know a bunch.All the custom Harley's I built used the starter relay in front of the solenoid,it made since that the trucks would also.but if I do not need it I won't put one in.I need to make the transition from 2 wheels to 4.
Thanks for all the help

[Speedbumpauto]

GM never did it but lots of folks in the day had a special screw driver that was used to "short" between the big solenoid terminal and the start terminal when a modified engine didn't want to start. Using a relay with a 10 or 12 gauge wire connected to the start terminal is a cleaner and more permanent version of that old trick. I use the Ford style on my builds because it gives me another clean positive connection other than the battery for B+ and most of my stuff has headers, higher compression etc. I treat it like I do the brake adjustable proportioning valve. It's not always needed but it's a real pain to re-do everything if you decide later you want it.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by hogfarm

I I need a starter relay between the key switch and the starter solenoid ?

No.

[_Ogre]

no need for the additional relay