jsharkey

jsharkey

Well Known Member
I'm testing my electrical system and was expecting a click or a clunk when I energized the primer solenoid but can't detect anything. Everything checks out with a meter. Just no indication that it is functioning. Anyone else got any experience with them?
Jim Sharkey
RV6 - Wiring
 
That's Good Enough for easy Function Testing

When you use the system you can verify that it works just with engine starting ease. You can do a two person required test where you turn on the aux. pump to pressurise the system with a primer line disconnected at a cylinder and verify that no fuel comes out, press the primer momentary switch, verify that fuel comes out, release it and verify that the fuel flow stops but I just did the same test you did and went with it as verifying port opening with power application. If operation proved there was a problem I would have proceded with trouble shooting but that didn't happen - the primer solenoid worked as expected.

Bob Axsom
 
Wiring

Hi Jim, we also wired our primer pushbutton from the fuel pump switch so that it's only supplied with power while the fuel pump is on. This way you can't flood the engine in flight if the primer is accidentally pushed to on.

Regards,
 
N395V said:
Mine is silent but works just fine.
Click to expand...

Im not sure I have ever "heard of a silent solenoid". Seriously. All solenoids of this type should click. You should hear it and feel it.

Now you might not hear it over other stuff like gyros spinning up or fuel pumps running. But if you just testing the solenoid, that thing should be heard from 50 feet away.

Its just a big relay that uses electromagnets to activate big contactors. When the contactors hit, its noisy, at least it should be. Even the tinyiest of relays that can fit on your finger tip, click and make noises. Perhaps micro relays cant be heard by the humad ear unassisted. I dunno.
 
pierre smith said:
Hi Jim, we also wired our primer pushbutton from the fuel pump switch so that it's only supplied with power while the fuel pump is on. This way you can't flood the engine in flight if the primer is accidentally pushed to on.

Regards,
Click to expand...

Yes - that's the way it's wired. I disconnected the pump to test the solenoid because it creates a racket when working dry. Hopefully it's quieter with fuel in it.

Jim
 
I have a similar configuration and also disconnected my fuel pump to verify the primer solenoid activates. Yes, I definitely hear a clunk when I push the primer button, not as loud as the master or starter solenoid but a definite clunk.

I assume your wiring has 12 volts coming to the primer button from the switch that turns on your fuel pump. Also, the primer button should then provide 12 volts to the primer solenoid when the button is pushed. The other side of the solenoid should be connected to ground. It?s possible the primer solenoid plunger is stuck in which case you would not hear a clunk. You can verify the wiring by verifying the magnetic coil of the solenoid by holding a small screw driver close to the solenoid and have someone push the primer button. You should be able to detect the solenoid becoming magnetic when the button is pushed. If the solenoid becomes magnetic and still no clunk, you should be able to disassemble the primer solenoid valve assembly and determine if the plunger is indeed stuck and possibly free it up.
 
647jc said:
I have a similar configuration and also disconnected my fuel pump to verify the primer solenoid activates. Yes, I definitely hear a clunk when I push the primer button, not as loud as the master or starter solenoid but a definite clunk.

I assume your wiring has 12 volts coming to the primer button from the switch that turns on your fuel pump. Also, the primer button should then provide 12 volts to the primer solenoid when the button is pushed. The other side of the solenoid should be connected to ground. It’s possible the primer solenoid plunger is stuck in which case you would not hear a clunk. You can verify the wiring by verifying the magnetic coil of the solenoid by holding a small screw driver close to the solenoid and have someone push the primer button. You should be able to detect the solenoid becoming magnetic when the button is pushed. If the solenoid becomes magnetic and still no clunk, you should be able to disassemble the primer solenoid valve assembly and determine if the plunger is indeed stuck and possibly free it up.
Click to expand...

Good idea to check if it's magnetized. I'll do that before tearing things apart.
Thanks
Jim Sharkey

PS - Is the solenoid polarized? Could I have it wired backwards? The leads were the same color with no one obviously meant for ground.
 
Out of interested I removed the big nut on top of the solenoid and pulled the coil from the top of the valve. I then brought a permanent magnet near the body of the solenoid and heard the faint click of the valve moving. It was even quieter than the noise of the panel microswitch button being pressed far less the noise of the pump running. Since I have power to the solenoid coil and now know that the valve moves I'll wait to confirm fuel flow before first engine start. Still learning!
Jim Sharkey
RV6 - Wiring
 
I had the same question when I installed my solenoid, which I purchased for the bargain price of $15 from George Orndorff. He replied that there was no specific arrangement for the wiring, they were even both the same color! Being the questioning type person I am, after I installed it I blew up a balloon and put it over the inlet fitting. It held air, indicating the valve was shut. I then energized the soleniod using a lantern battery and just touching the wires to the terminals. It made a faint buzz (no satisfying click) and the balloon rapidly deflated. Simple test. Repeated it a few times just for good measure.
 
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