Powerhouse Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 I would like to add a pushbutton starter to my 39... Why would a solenoid be needed? There is none in the circuit now...if I just figured out a way to get power through the old type switch...wouldn't it work as before? Kinda like a remote starter switch... Quote
greg g Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 Your foot switch is basically the soleoid, It connects the high amp connection from the battery to the starter. The solenoid is basically an electro- mechanical substitution for your foot. The push button closes a low amp connection to a magnet which closes completing the high amp circuit. You could easily wire in a solenoid it thats what you want. Quote
Powerhouse Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Posted January 31, 2009 ok... If I modified a foot switch(the one on the starter) to be always closed...and then ran the wire to a push button....THAT should work without the solenoid...wright? Quote
greg g Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 No. Closing the switch would put battery power there constantly. The solenoid contorls the opening and closing of the battery to starter circuit through the magnetic switch which closes with the button and opens when you release it. Quote
martybose Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 The only way that would work electrically is if you had a starter switch that could pass something like 500 amps of current; not likely! Also, mecahnically you would have the starter gear permanently engaged, which would lead to spectacular but catastrophic failure the first time you revved the engine! You really need a later model starter designed for a remote solenoid. Marty Quote
greg g Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 YEP! I guess it escaped me that the foot switch also acted as the bendix. So it also mechanically engages the starter gear as well as making the connection. Besides you foot switch is in its own way an antitheft device. How many folks out there these days realize what that thing might be??? Quote
Powerhouse Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Posted January 31, 2009 yeah.....true.....my EX mechanic didn't have a frikin' clue how to start it. Quote
greg g Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 I have the button, and the place (Dodge Dealership) that I go to for inspection, non of the techs no how to start it or drive the three on the tree. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 Actually, this same subject just came up on another thread earlier today. Here's the thread. http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=13626 Actually, it's sort of nice that most people (including modern mechanic's) don't know how to start our cars. Makes for a good anti theft device. Quote
Powerhouse Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Posted January 31, 2009 HEH.... FUNNY...I guess I should looked at the thread a bit more. I guess keeping it stock is best....it's just a pain to start some times when it hot( i ahve to hold the gas pedal down all the way)...or on a hill...my e brake ain't so good.... Quote
greg g Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 so you can't press the brake pedal with your left foot????? Quote
Powerhouse Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Posted January 31, 2009 I can...I guess I was just bored and needed to fix something that wasn't broken. hahaha....plenty to still fix that needs it. Quote
Don Coatney Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 For those who have converted to 12 volts and still use a 6 volt starter there is another advantage to the foot starter engagement. When running a 6 volt starter on 12 volts the starter motor spins at a higher speed and the bendix also engages at a higher speed. This will eventually cause clashing between the flywheel ring gear and starter motor gear leading to premature failure. When using a 6 volt foot starter on 12 volts this clashing will not happen and the starter motor will still spin the engine faster. Quote
Young Ed Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 HEH.... FUNNY...I guess I should looked at the thread a bit more. I guess keeping it stock is best....it's just a pain to start some times when it hot( i ahve to hold the gas pedal down all the way)...or on a hill...my e brake ain't so good.... yup thats the issue sometimes you run out of feet to push on brake gas and starter Quote
cwcars88 Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 Don you are right I changed my Model "A" over to 12 volt 10 years ago just to get brighter lights. I have not had any problems with the stock 6 volt starter, just touch the starter and its running. I have been thinking of doing the same thing to my P-15, hoping it will start easyer. Quote
Brendan D25 Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 Thanks for that tip Don C. That gives me a good reason to hang on to a starter I have from a 39 Plymouth. Just in case, Brendan. Quote
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