Has Anyone Done Away With Their Starter Relay?

[Lagoon4us]

As an emergency quick start from say a tiller position i can go along with the starter bit but not sure about alternator tho....

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by albergsailor

Just seems like a simpler setup to just run some wires to a ignition switch, especially since i for one would only have a 3 and a half foot wire run. Simpler less chance of failure, right? Im not sure how much amp runs thru that exciter wire, ide have to test it to see., If it isnt too much i can just use a ignition switch i suppose

My last boat (Cal-39) didn't' have a relay. The power to the starter solenoid was all the way from the engine, to the panel in the cockpit and back to the starter solenoid, probably 12-15' total run).

The problem is that any corrosion in the wire or connections really impacts the current. This was a big deal one night when a gail came up and I started dragging and the engine wouldn't start because a connection had gotten corroded.

So the answer; yes getting rid of the relay it less complicated, but less reliable. But if your circuit really is only 3.5 feet like you say I would probably get rid of my relay.

[Blue Stocking]

If your starter Bendix fails to dis-engage, or the starter solenoid welds across the contacts, that starter motor becomes an engine driven AC generator. A situation which can get pretty nasty, and cause a fire. Seen it happen.
In this event, the slave solenoid, de-energized from the ignition switch, acts like a breaker, and won't allow current to pass.

[albergsailor]

well i decided to just keep the relay as i have a spare anyway, and i think someone said its ok to leave the alternator in the on position but i tested that theory and it creats a major amp draw thats sure to kill the battery pretty quick, so no u cant leave the alternator in the on position, hense why leaving your key on kills ur battery.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by albergsailor

well i decided to just keep the relay as i have a spare anyway, and i think someone said its ok to leave the alternator in the on position but i tested that theory and it creats a major amp draw thats sure to kill the battery pretty quick, so no u cant leave the alternator in the on position, hense why leaving your key on kills ur battery.

Reread the above post - Yes the alternator is usually "switched" to the master. However having a separate alternator switch (alternator field disconnected) and the ability to start the engine is risky. If you forget to turn on the alternator field the alternator will fry.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Reread the above post - Yes the alternator is usually "switched" to the master. However having a separate alternator switch (alternator field disconnected) and the ability to start the engine is risky. If you forget to turn on the alternator field the alternator will fry.

Dan, I don't think that is right. One can run the alternator with no field excitation as long as you want without damage. If you stop to thin about it, that is what the regulator does when the batteries are full.

Cheers,

Jim

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Dan, I don't think that is right. One can run the alternator with no field excitation as long as you want without damage. If you stop to thin about it, that is what the regulator does when the batteries are full.

Cheers,

Jim

Sorry should be sense... If the alternator is sensing low voltage and field excitation is available the alternator will toast. It depends what line he is switching.