How about putting some sort of capacitor across it to absorb that spike,
like the condenser in an old fashioned distributor.  With a bad condenser,
the points would get burned pretty quickly.  BTDT  The coil is an inductive
load.

Larry A.

On Sun, Dec 15, 2013 at 1:51 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> The current is only part of the question. The solenoid is an inductive load
> and when the power is disconnected there is a huge voltage spike. That
> spike
> can jump over a cheap switch and over time weld the contact(s). You want a
> good snap action switch preferably with a double break contact. There are
> many designed for starter solenoid service.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Steve Cotsford
> Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2013 4:12 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Remote Start Hookup - '88GL w/Manual Tranny
>
> What do you think the amperage would be, to trigger the starter solenoid?
> It was just going through my mind where to buy a suitable push button
> switch
> to make a suitable set up.    I would think perhaps 1 to 2 amps would do
> the
> job but I cant remember when last I saw a push button bigger than the
> skinny
> electronic ones at Radio Shack and I would want a way to anchor the wires.
> Thanks,  Steve
>
> On Dec 14, 2013, at 3:53 PM, Scott Daniel wrote:
>
> > Basically you want to get 12 volts to the 'trigger terminal' on the
> > starter solenoid.
> > That terminal has medium thick black/red wire on it...a push-on female
> > connector.
> >
> > pull that wire, get 12 volts to the spade terminal is was on.
> > Some starter solenoid have two spade terminals there..and sometimes
> > one of those will fire the solenoid and starter.
> >
> > where you get the 12 volts isn't too important as long as it's
> > adequate amerpage.
> > that could be the starter main post ( 13mm hex nut usually ) the
> > alternator main post, or the hot 12 volt post inside the black
> > junction box ..
> > or heck..
> > think outside the box ...you could  get 12 vdc from another battery
> > sitting on the floor under the van , just make sure it's grounded to
> > the van too.
> >
> > Scott
> >
> > On 12/14/2013 9:02 AM, Robert Fisher wrote:
> >> It's been a few years but iirc one lead 'goes' to the all-purpose
> >> red/hot wire/nut on the back of the alternator and the other to the
> >> solenoid. I always clamped to the starter first,  just in case.
> >> On Dec 14, 2013 12:47 PM, "JRodgers" <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I really hate coming off as Dumb-butt here - but how the heck do you
> >>> hook up a remote start switch on a Vanagon?? I picked one up (HF)
> >>> and instructions say hook one lead (red) to the battery! That ain't
> >>> gonna happen! Not with the starter where it is and the battery being
> >>> under the passenger seat!!
> >>>
> >>> So what is the real secret?? How do I hook up the black and the red
> >>> leads so I can try and start this puppy when standing at the rear
> bumper?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> John
> >>>
>