Diode on Solenoid

[chriskent85]

Is it mandatory that this be installed.

[scottyb]

It is highly recommended.
Quoted from Alltrax tech notes:
Contactor Coil Diode:
A contactor (as described before can be called a
solenoid), is basically a electromagnetic switch. When
the contactor is energized, a magnetic field is created
that pulls or pushes a movable bar or plate to make a
connection with a set of fixed contacts.
To create this magnetic field, a current is passed
through a coil of wire. As long as there is current
flowing through the coil, the magnetic field remains.
When the current stops, the magnetic field collapses
releasing this energy in the form of a “fly-back
voltage”. This voltage can be in excess of 150volts. If
this voltage is not dissipated – it will be transferred
back into the controller and cause permanent damage.
The diode across the coil terminals safely dissipates
this energy. Vehicles with ITS throttles without diodes
have been known to jump or jitter from contactor coil
generated spikes.


Your voltage reducer or stereo won't like it either!
For a few dollars why not put one on.

[chriskent85]

thanks man

[chriskent85]

oh and i figured out why it wouldnt turn on last night, it was a bad solenoid. I was the one that called you

[scottyb]

Not often the solenoid goes bad. More often something goes wrong with one of the many switches in the activation circuit. I'm glad you got it sorted out.