Where should I install an accessories solenoid?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by najory, May 29, 2009.

  1. najory

    najory New Member

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    Hi Guys,

    I have tried to attach a 30amp solenoid, switched by the rear light; the key turns the switch is on. I have cut into the Brown and Blue wire.

    However, although the switch works exactly as expected but the rear light is now so dim it cannot be seen. This is not safe or the desired results.

    Thinking it was a dud solenoid I bought a second one but had exactly the same results. I guess it simply draws too much current but it is a standard auto solenoid.

    Where should I wire this in so sufficient current can be drawn?

    I have a 2003 Honda VFR 800 - 3 vtec.


    Nicholas
     
  2. deepdish

    deepdish Banned

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    purgatory.........................................
    off the battery, ground it then it will pull amp from battery while running no probs.. leave it on while off get ready to bump start..
     
  3. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Sounds like you have it wired so the hot lead is from the tail light. Only the switch should be from the tail light, like deepdish said the hot lead should come directly from the battery.
     
  4. najory

    najory New Member

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  5. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    You might post either a pic or a diagram of exactly how you have it wired. That would help as we may be talking at cross purposes. Is this a standard three prong auto solenoid?
     
  6. Yakima9

    Yakima9 New Member

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    It sounds like you are running your 12v power from the tail light. You want to run 12v from the battery to the relay, with a fuse in-between. 12v out of the relay to your fuse box (if you are running one) or to your grips. If you aren't running an aux fuse panel, be sure to put in an inline fuse. The power from the tail light should only close the relay when the tail light is activated, not send power through the relay itself. I would double check your wiring on the relay. I used the license plate light, as to ensure if there were any issues they wouldn't be with the tail light itself. Just seemed safer.
     
  7. Dudealicious

    Dudealicious New Member

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    for any accessories, you should always use a relay.
    especially for a solenoid. they draw way too much power for factory wiring.
    they've got to draw straight from the battery.
    much like your starter solenoid does. that starter button you push triggers a relay which then throws 12v to the solenoid.
    if you need a schematic of how to wire the relay, just PM me.
    i'm surprised you didn't blow your driving lights fuse (at a minimum) by having a solenoid on that circuit.
     
  8. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    I was operating under the assumption that he was referring to a relay when he was talking about a solenoid since they really are the same thing: an electromagnet opening/closing a circuit.
     
  9. najory

    najory New Member

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    Yes, I think it may be a cultural thing. Its a relay and a solenoid.

    Here is a picture:
    [​IMG]

    The brown and blue wire is connected to numbers 85 and 86.

    The heated grips on 30 and 87.

    Any ideas?
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2009
  10. Dudealicious

    Dudealicious New Member

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    Grips (+) to 30
    Grips (-) anywhere on bike metal (or to Battery (-))
    87 to Battery (+) with fuse (30A)
    85 to switch power. ie. gets power with key (rear lights, license plate lights. no fuse necessary since it's already fused at the box)
    or
    85 to a toggle switch so you can toggle power to the grips. (if grip toggle is not provided which it should) other end of toggle needs power. (rear lights, license plate lights)
    86 to Ground (either Battery or Bike frame)
    87A is unused for this application
     
  11. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Here's the way I have mine: 85 is ground, 86 is from the tail light, 30 is 12 volts from the battery, 87 is 12 volt power out to device.

    The difference between mine and Dude's is he has the power into 87 and power out of 30, mine is just the opposite.
     
  12. Dudealicious

    Dudealicious New Member

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    85 & 86 are interchangeable. (+) or (-) can go to either one.
    30 & 87 are the same way. either can go to the battery or device.
    it's just that simple
     
  13. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    The first time I tried to wire up a relay I about lost it. After you have it figured out it is sooooo simple and logical.
     
  14. najory

    najory New Member

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    Aha!

    FJ12rydertoo I see that you have your relay after the rear light, not before as I have. This means that it gets cut into the Green wire not the Brown / Blue wire. There lies a solution I think.

    Question, if I cut into the green after the light should I then create another earth or simply connect back up - since green is earth?
     
  15. V4FRider

    V4FRider New Member

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    Wiring should look something like this .....

    [​IMG]

    Almost sounds as if you are running the light through the coil on the relay. Do you have a volt meter?
     
  16. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    The heated grips will have to have a + and a -, the positive will be coming from the relay, the negative will be from the grips to ground, either the frame or the neg post of the battery. I spliced into the positive line going to the tail light for the trigger switch for the relay. Where you splice into the positive line shouldn't make a difference IMO, but I'm no electrical engineer. Just remember the power going to the grips will be coming directly from the battery through the relay, so makes sure you're not trying to power the grips using the wire from the tail light.

    And don't forget to put an inline fuse between the relay and the grips.

    Good luck. Don't forget to post back as to how it turned out.
     
  17. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Something that is never mentioned but probably should be.....

    Diode
     
  18. najory

    najory New Member

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    Thank you for all your help.

    The diagram from V4FRider provided the solution. I was indeed cutting the brown / blue and putting the relay in-line.

    Splice was the word I missunderstood! Lesson learned!

    It is now working perfectly. Hand grips too.

    Cheers guys.
     
  19. Yakima9

    Yakima9 New Member

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    Good to hear!
     
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