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Is a relay required to run a purge solinoid?

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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 05:39 PM
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Default Is a relay required to run a purge solinoid?

About ready to wire up the purge noid, bought my kit used so I have no Idea if it requires a relay or not. I was kinda figuring since my line lock requires no relay that the purge probably wouldnt either but I didnt want to start a fire under my hood because I didnt ask someone that knew.
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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 05:57 PM
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Most do not, including NOS, Cold Fusion and I think Dyno Tune? The nos type is not a constant voltage type so no worry (momentary on/off). Cold Fusion is a constant voltage, but a very small amp load 1 1/2 or 2 amps. So both can be wired with out relay. Now I have run both types, but I chose to use a relay, just seems a little safer, imo. It's a judgement call on your part.
Robert
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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Robert56
Most do not, including NOS, Cold Fusion and I think Dyno Tune? The nos type is not a constant voltage type so no worry (momentary on/off). Cold Fusion is a constant voltage, but a very small amp load 1 1/2 or 2 amps. So both can be wired with out relay. Now I have run both types, but I chose to use a relay, just seems a little safer, imo. It's a judgement call on your part.
Robert
Guess I'll give it a try without a relay, I'll run and inline 2.5 amp fuse though.
Thanks for the reply!
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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by WS6HUMMER
Guess I'll give it a try without a relay, I'll run and inline 2.5 amp fuse though.
Thanks for the reply!
I would go with a ten amp fuse. The reason being, when first activated it can have a very quick momentary spike greater than the stated 1 to 2 amps but will instantly settle to the 1 or 2 amp continuse amp load. If you have a short or issue a 10 will blow and still save the day.
Robert
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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 06:38 PM
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Most do not have a relay as Robert has typed up for you. I still insist on installing them. I can not count how many times for some strange reason they burn out the switchs
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 10:07 AM
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Thanks everyone for all the help! You guys have given me a lot to think about
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 10:46 AM
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I would go with a relay, just for the convience of using small gauge wire to controll the noid.. And you can run a lesser switch since very little amps are running throu it.
Ricky
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by NXRICKY
I would go with a relay, just for the convience of using small gauge wire to controll the noid.. And you can run a lesser switch since very little amps are running throu it.
Ricky
As always, thanks for the help Ricky, appreciate it!
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 07:31 PM
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I ran with out a relay on my nx purge and slowly i noticed the switches performance went down, and that i had to push the button harder to activate the purge.
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 08:30 PM
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So far i've not seen one that requires a relay...but it's so simple and it takes a lot of strain off your switch in terms of current draw through the switch.
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 11:02 PM
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I doubt there will be an initial surge. That's backward
from how an inductor behaves. What will kill your
cheapo switch is the arc on opening circuit, the
inductor current -will- still circulate as long as it's
able, and throw an arc during break. A poor quality
contact won't take much of that without pitting.
An automotive relay expects to drive inductive loads
and is made to survive it.
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmyblue
I doubt there will be an initial surge. That's backward
from how an inductor behaves. What will kill your
cheapo switch is the arc on opening circuit, the
inductor current -will- still circulate as long as it's
able, and throw an arc during break. A poor quality
contact won't take much of that without pitting.
An automotive relay expects to drive inductive loads
and is made to survive it.
You would see a spike in amperage on say a heater or a non inductor item? seems this is what I was taught? But I am not an electrical engineer.
Robert
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Old Jan 4, 2006 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmyblue
I doubt there will be an initial surge. That's backward
from how an inductor behaves. What will kill your
cheapo switch is the arc on opening circuit, the
inductor current -will- still circulate as long as it's
able, and throw an arc during break. A poor quality
contact won't take much of that without pitting.
An automotive relay expects to drive inductive loads
and is made to survive it.
I'm following this...but i'd expect a current spike on the circuit as the solenoid is activated...now whether it's an issue?
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Old Jan 5, 2006 | 04:45 AM
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So the next obvious question is what amp relay?
Guessing a 10-20?

My dry kit on the little brown truck ...Thanks Dean!

While making the panels, I came across a new switch from Edelbrock for momentary applications, look way more HD than the Radioshack ones I have been using for the mock up (and about 7 times more expensive too). Gonna order one of them for my purge. #72274



Cheers
Beer
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Old Jan 5, 2006 | 09:09 AM
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most automotive type relays are 20/30 or 30/40 amp
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Old Jan 5, 2006 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Beer99C5
So the next obvious question is what amp relay?
Guessing a 10-20?

My dry kit on the little brown truck ...Thanks Dean!

While making the panels, I came across a new switch from Edelbrock for momentary applications, look way more HD than the Radioshack ones I have been using for the mock up (and about 7 times more expensive too). Gonna order one of them for my purge. #72274
Cheers
Beer
Give Nitrous Outlet a yell they have those switches in stock at around10.00 I think... In many different colors... Now if you are using a solenoid that is small about a the diameter of a quater, you will not need a relay with that switch, if using a noid about the size silver dollar size then I would diffenitly use a relay..
Several things to look at. If the switch is rated at the amp draw you are using you are good to go, with one thing to think about. The size of the wire needed to run.. Most relays are used to keep the heavy gauge stuff from running in and all around the car.
Ricky
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Old Jan 5, 2006 | 11:17 AM
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Capacitive loads draw a current spike on close-
circuit. So would a stalled-rotor motor (relative
to running steady current) where the winding
current has no back-EMF to oppose the voltage.
But the motor is not entirely like an inductor
(solenoid). An inductor current will be zero at
the instant of close-circuit and ramp up until
you hit the winding resistance limit. In a motor
you'd have the current start at zero, ramp up
fairly quick (inductor) and then come back down
as the much slower rotor spins up and starts
pushing back voltage against the supply. A
motor will minimize winding resistance to allow
maximum torque (current) while a solenoid is
usually designed with internal limiting resistance
to permit "stalled" steady state operation.

I wouldn't worry much about ratings, everything
on the AutoZone shelf is 30A, seems like.
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