Dick: I'd hoped to be able to google a part number off the part in question
but
no luck there.
re: coil. Ok. I understand what you mean. My first concern was the contacts
melting and-or seizing up but I see how the coil would be the potential
issue.

Stuart: I see what you mean. I entered "12 volt starter solenoid" in google
images,
and found this on amazon http://tinyurl.com/oywgpzl
but then it does show "continuous duty" in description.

My aux. batteries are a group 41 and 27 flooded cell type
so are not enormous but the group 27 could demand a
large amount of current when drawn down.

Neil.

On Tue, Oct 20, 2015 at 4:44 PM, sailingfc dslextreme.com <
sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:

> 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)
>
>

--
Neil n

Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>

1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>

1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>

Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>