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solonoid choices , (dual batteries)
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 5:53 pm
by bagsy
Ive got a 93 GQ with the efi petrol 4.2 . Now im setting up the dual batteries but am trying to decide which solonoid to use. I was planning on just running the basic one , so when the cars on its charging both ,and so on. But i ve been told i need spike protection for the efi computer , therefore should i use a smart solonoid from arb which has inbuilt protection. Any opinions would be helpful. Also im running 2 starting batteries , just for winching. thanks shane....
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:51 am
by murcod
So you're planning on running three batteries in total (the two off the starting circuit in parallel, plus another)?
What do you want to use the third for, as that can affect the options for a battery controller?
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:44 am
by bazzle
ARB one works good. Wire and forget.
Bazzle
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 9:16 pm
by bagsy
sorry for the misunderstanding, but no ,I only need 2 batteries . But they are both to be cranking ones because its mainly to run the winch. Do i need surge or spike protection for my efi computer ?, otherwise i will just run a standard solonoid. shane......
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 9:20 pm
by DAZZ
Fit a diode across the energise connections on the solinoid. This will cause the magnetic field to collapse into itself disapating the spike. Just fit it the correct way.... Or use a smart solinoid.....
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:11 pm
by murcod
You could just get two batteries that are exactly the same and hook them up in parallel if you're only going to use them for starting/ winching. But if you ever want to separate them at all, eg. use the second only for winching, then you'd need a controller.
Solenoids can cause current surges (and voltage spikes) when they switch in the second battery. The diode Dazz mentioned will only stop the reverse EMF on the solenoid's energising coil- not the spike from the contacts closing/ opening.
Re: solonoid choices , (dual batteries)
Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 10:22 pm
by RUFF
bagsy wrote:Ive got a 93 GQ with the efi petrol 4.2 . Now im setting up the dual batteries but am trying to decide which solonoid to use. I was planning on just running the basic one , so when the cars on its charging both ,and so on. But i ve been told i need spike protection for the efi computer , therefore should i use a smart solonoid from arb which has inbuilt protection. Any opinions would be helpful. Also im running 2 starting batteries , just for winching. thanks shane....
Dont buy the ARB one. You can get a Redarc one for $119rrp from
http://www.ingram.com.au/ these work well.
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 4:35 pm
by ORSM45
buy a set of EFI jumper leads and a cheap solenoid. then you have isolation and spike protection.
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 5:12 pm
by murcod
You can actually buy small add on modules that supposedly do the spike suppression. You just wire them between the positive battery terminal and the chassis.
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 9:17 pm
by bagsy
hey guys , I lashed out today and got the arb smart solonoid. 200 bucks , so now Ill be busy wiring it up on the weekend. Thanks for all the input. shane.....
Re: solonoid choices , (dual batteries)
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 7:16 pm
by landy_man
so you went and bought it anyway....
not sure if the ARB "smart' solenoid will handle the amps you intend pulling through it while winching....
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:13 am
by bagsy
systems all in and works a treat. Very happy so far and very easy to install.shane....
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:53 am
by RUFF
How much did you end up paying for the ARB one?
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 10:10 am
by murcod
bagsy wrote:hey guys , I lashed out today and got the arb smart solonoid. 200 bucks , so now Ill be busy wiring it up on the weekend. Thanks for all the input. shane.....
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:07 pm
by chimpboy
Did you end up having to pay much more for cable and so forth?
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 1:46 pm
by shep
FYI, the only difference between the ARB and Redarc smart solenoid (solenoid unit assembled in Mexico) is the IC control unit that hangs off the side, and yes, the price.
The ARB unit worked quite well, until it failed in Cape York (warm beer).
Will see if the Redarc goes the distance.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 6:38 pm
by DAZZ
murcod wrote:You could just get two batteries that are exactly the same and hook them up in parallel if you're only going to use them for starting/ winching. But if you ever want to separate them at all, eg. use the second only for winching, then you'd need a controller.
Solenoids can cause current surges (and voltage spikes) when they switch in the second battery. The diode Dazz mentioned will only stop the reverse EMF on the solenoid's energising coil- not the spike from the contacts closing/ opening.
This would probably happen on all soleniods though. Like starter solenoids, winch solenoids ect. Most EFI systems are fairly spike resistant .
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:29 pm
by whatever
i went with ARB isolator as well, for winch use only. the dealer recommend ARB over prahanas due to its ability to handle higher current draw.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 10:05 pm
by bagsy
chimpboy wrote:Did you end up having to pay much more for cable and so forth?
No ive got a mate with the crimping gear and just needed a couple of meters of cable.
Dual battery setup
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:46 am
by hooters
Best value for money at the moment is a VSR (voltage senstive relay) available over the net from
www.tektrek.com.au
Just around $105 with spike protection and quality build.
redarc vs ARB
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:35 pm
by 4x4family
What is the big diff between the ARB and the Redarc, I've read on a couple of forums the bagging of each but what is the actuall difference, from somebody that knows about them
Andrew
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 9:24 pm
by shorty_f0rty
ive got a vsr.. the new ones are rated to 140Amps i think
came with cables, terminals ready to go
didnt have to fiddle with any alternator wiring either which makes installation easy
Re: redarc vs ARB
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:13 am
by murcod
4x4family wrote:What is the big diff between the ARB and the Redarc, I've read on a couple of forums the bagging of each but what is the actuall difference, from somebody that knows about them
Andrew
AFAIK they're both solenoid based with electronics controlling the switching of the solenoid contacts. Probably really not much difference between the two electrically, just the price.