Putting a Start Solenoid on a Yanmar

[Chief Engineer]

I am currently finishing up a "surveyors" list on a vessel.

He says to put a solenoid in the start circuit of the boat.

I am not sure why....The engine started fine for me.......

Never Monday, have you done this and can I pick your brain?

[JiffyLube]

On our Pathfinder diesel the current required by the starter solenoid to engage and activate is about 40 Amps. The flow of the current before using the assist solenoid was from the solenoid positive connection, via the harness through the instrument panel, and back to the starter solenoid contactor terminal. Due to this, a voltage drop to 9V could occur resulting in starting delays. The assist solenoid is designed to provide for a more direct flow of the current to the contactor terminal, thereby avoiding the voltage drop within the system.

[hugosalt]

Same as JiffyLube...Installed one on my Yanmar 3GM...when pressing the starter button, every 4th or 5th time, motor would not turn over...would always eventually start but did not feel comfortable. (was like a bad starter missing)
Seems Yanmar harness has lots of connections to
lose volts. With solenoid installed motor turns over 1st time every time!

[svstrider]

Originally Posted by hugosalt

Same as JiffyLube...Installed one on my Yanmar 3GM...when pressing the starter button, every 4th or 5th time, motor would not turn over...would always eventually start but did not feel comfortable. (was like a bad starter missing)
Seems Yanmar harness has lots of connections to
lose volts. With solenoid installed motor turns over 1st time every time!

ME TOO - One of my Yanmar 3GM30's does exactly the same thing. I even replaced the starter motor only to find that the original one is just fine. Now I have a spare
I had checked the ignition switch before replacing the starter & it was fine. Thanks for the info. Obviously I should recheck all the connections in the wire loom and then look into installing a starter solenoid.
NEXT DUMB QUESTION - what is a starter solenoid?
I will have to start researching that particular beast. However any suggestions would be helpful.

[svstrider]

Originally Posted by svstrider

NEXT DUMB QUESTION - what is a starter solenoid? I will have to start researching that particular beast.

To answer my own dumb question (how stupid is that) here are some helpful links
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tent-9085.html

[never monday]

common no start problem with the older Yanmars. It stems from voltage loss in the harness. This is a drop in current returning to energize the solenoid from the button. I usually put a 30A relay in there.

[hummingway]

MY mechanic told me that the thermostart on my perkins would draw at lest 20 amps and recommended I use a solenoid, which I did. There weren't mentioned in the perkins literature though. Perkins just talked about using a switch where one of the positions engaged the thermstart and another engage the starter. I hooked mine up to a seperate impulse switch rather then replace the ignition switch. I put the impulse switch off the first position of the ignition switch - the run position. Turn the key on, push the button, count to twenty, release the button and engage the starter. It works great.