Unless there are markings that say it is for continuous duty, you can't tell by appearance if it is or is not.  You need to get the spec. sheet for the part.

A starter solenoid is rated for high current, but not necessarily designed for continuous duty.  Think about it, the starter only runs for 5 seconds, maybe (if all things are in order), then the solenoid is "off" the rest of the time.

Can a starter solenoid be used for continuous duty?  It depends on how hot the energized coil gets over time, not how much current is going through the contacts.

Find the spec. sheet.

Hope this helps.

-Dick-
87 Syncro (Blaze)

----- Original Message -----
From: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:55:45 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Continuous Duty Solenoid vs Starter Solenoid; Visual Difference?

Hi all.

Without taking it apart, how does one visually tell the difference between
a continuous duty solenoid and an external starter solenoid? Measure Amp
draw of solenoid itself?

The separator solenoid I'm using for aux. battery #2 looks like this:
http://tinyurl.com/o53shuu

but it has no markings. Packaging for this part did not indicate that it
was a starter solenoid but I now have to wonder. It works fine, bench tests
perfectly, but if I recall, it's smaller than the solenoid I have
separating the aux. battery #1 That solenoid was sold to my by an RV shop.
Image of that part:

http://tinyurl.com/q676kqe

Thanks

Neil.

--
Neil n

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