Master and Starter Solenoids

[TerryWighs]

I have noticed a couple different orientations on these devices. Is there a preferred veritcal orientation (which way is "up") on each of these. Thanks

[AltonD]

I really don't think it matters with the Starter solenoid.

On the master:
The master you ground to cause it to close. That said, the battery cable must be on one particular side of the solenoid. I don't think this will matter on the starter solenoid. On it, you must provide the voltage to close the contactor.

[flynwest]

There were some people who had the starter engage while doing positive G. So they mount them sideways.

[TerryWighs]

I understand the "hook up" electrical concept. The question was directed to the physical arrangement regarding mounting. I had heard comments of because of the way the solenoid moves (master), that it had to be orientated in a particular matter for the contacts to function optimally?

[TerryWighs]

Thanks Dan

[AltonD]

Originally Posted by flynwest

There were some people who had the starter engage while doing positive G. So they mount them sideways.

I could see that. I dissected one that I thought had failed. The spring was not that stout. I would think contactor portion on bottom would address that issue. The contactor portion is the part where the leads connect.

[TerryWighs]

Thanks Alton

[NYTOM]

Originally Posted by flynwest

There were some people who had the starter engage while doing positive G. So they mount them sideways.

Took one of those two day electrical coarses a couple of years ago near Boston in a SportAir EAA workshop and that's exactly how they taught us to mount the starter solenoid. If your going to do a lot of high G stuff it sounded like a good idea. Even if the solenoid engaged for a second it would be bad.

[RV7A Flyer]

Don't Van's instructions/schematics have it mounted "upside down" for that reason? That's how I did mine...

See DWG 31A.

[aerhed]

The old theory was that you wanted gravity to help pull the master closed and the starter open in the event of a dead spring. So.... Starter contacts down and master contacts up. That's their story and I'm sticking to it.