I can tell you this ..
I've had my Snap-On heavy duty Remote Starter Switch about 25 years.
I'm sure it's double break contacts..
no idea if it has a capacitor in it.
.
That sucker just works !   Fat wires on it too.
They probably don't make them this  heavy duty and solid anymore anyway,
would be my guess.
Used it about 10,000 times.
I can't work on a car with an engine issue without using it.

I don't even drive in town without it on board.

S.

On 12/15/2013 12:51 PM, Larry Alofs wrote:
> 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
>>>>>