I find this thread interesting.  I've worked on 100's of Vanagons over the years and have never needed, or even contemplated installing a starter relay.

 - Got good grounds?   
 - Got a good ignition switch?  
 - Got a good starter with a good starter bushing?

Then you don't need no stinkin start relay...

Cheers, 

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of vw_van_fan_Mark
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 1:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Starter relay kit

That Samba beetle thread relay wiring isn't quite the way I would do it on a Vanagon.

The starter motor has a large direct connection to the battery so that is where to get "battery" power on the red wire to relay pin #30.

The original key switch to starter wire is already a female 1/4" spade end so just plug that on to relay pin 86.

Relay pin #85 is the ground for the relay coil so a short wire from relay pin #85 with the other end screwed to van metal nearby. Use a relay with a mounting tab built in and then you can use that mounting screw as the ground screw for the end of this short wire.

That leaves running a wire from relay pin #87 to the starter spade #50.

I have tons of new relays and have made my own many times in the past but now if I have time to wait a few days I usually order these starter relay kits from list member Jay Brown. He makes really nice wiring setups for various Vanagon needs, including for the starter.

https://sites.google.com/site/vanagonheadlightrelays/hard-start-relays/hard-start-relay

Mark

T Collins wrote:
> Dan,
>
> Thank you for that I have all I need to make this at home. I was 
> actually able to find this to on The Samba.
>
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=421220
>
> Hope this helps others,
>
> T.
>
>