starter relay - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**hogfarm** · 11-24-2016, 08:26 AM

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

dsraven · 11-24-2016, 10:49 AM

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 · 11-24-2016, 11:43 AM

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** · 11-24-2016, 03:20 PM

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 · 11-24-2016, 04:22 PM

Neatness counts:

**hogfarm** · 11-25-2016, 07:46 AM

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

_Ogre · 11-25-2016, 07:10 PM

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** · 11-26-2016, 07:38 AM

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 · 11-26-2016, 10:58 AM

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 · 11-26-2016, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogfarm

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

No.

_Ogre · 11-26-2016, 01:49 PM

no need for the additional relay

11-24-2016, 08:26 AM	#1
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	starter relay I I need a starter relay between the key switch and the starter solenoid ?

11-24-2016, 10:49 AM	#2
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,333	Re: starter relay 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.

11-24-2016, 11:43 AM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: starter relay 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? __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-24-2016, 03:20 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,710	Re: starter relay 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-24-2016, 04:22 PM	#5
Highsider Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 944	Re: starter relay Neatness counts: __________________ Jimi J from I-Oh-Way '57 Panel 3105 Met this deer... Roof Swap on my Panel Jim's Bread Truck

11-25-2016, 07:46 AM	#6
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	Re: starter relay Just a little one like this to save the switch,between the switch and the starter solenoid Attached Images

11-25-2016, 07:10 PM	#7
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: starter relay 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 __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-26-2016, 07:38 AM	#8
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	Re: starter relay 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

11-26-2016, 10:58 AM	#9
Speedbumpauto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 917	Re: starter relay 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.

11-26-2016, 01:49 PM	#11
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: starter relay no need for the additional relay __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer



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