Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: jelfert on July 24, 2025, 07:40:53 pm

Title: Ignition switch/solenoid
Post by: jelfert on July 24, 2025, 07:40:53 pm
Well I had starting issues resurface. I went to leave RV park and in crank position, engine did not turn over and dash went dead. Went straight to the ignition solenoid and jumped it and engine cranked over immediately and started. I then swapped in a cheap solenoid and it fired right up. That cheap Solenoid isn't rated for this application and it got real hot and failed after starting a couple times.
 Now the reason I bring this up is because when this happened 7 years ago, I replaced the ignition solenoid with the recommended Blue sea solenoid rated at 1000 amp int./ 250 amp continuous.  I thought this thing was rated for 1 million cycles or some ridiculously high number? Put about 30K miles on the coach in 7 years.

Anyone ever had their Blue Sea ignition solenoid fail? I'm going to order another one and a new ignition switch.
Title: Re: Ignition switch/solenoid
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 24, 2025, 08:34:18 pm
I installed the Blue Sea 9012 about 10 years ago, and it still works flawlessly.  We've put about 40k miles on our coach since then.

Sorry to hear yours failed, but I still think it is the best solenoid available for this critical application.  Other members may have better ideas?  If so, speak up!

Dash Instruments Go Dead (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=25080.msg198026#msg198026)
Title: Re: Ignition switch/solenoid
Post by: kgrover on July 25, 2025, 07:52:19 am
DC Contactors | Direct Current (DC) Contactor | SMP, Inc. (https://www.smpengineeredsolutions.com/products/dc-contactors/)
Trombetta is another good brand. Just make sure you are getting one rated for 100% duty cycle. I used them in some off highway designs and don't think we ever had a problem with the solenoid failing.
Title: Re: Ignition switch/solenoid
Post by: kevo0000 on July 27, 2025, 07:13:24 am
DC Contactors | Direct Current (DC) Contactor | SMP, Inc. (https://www.smpengineeredsolutions.com/products/dc-contactors/)
Trombetta is another good brand. Just make sure you are getting one rated for 100% duty cycle. I used them in some off highway designs and don't think we ever had a problem with the solenoid failing.
Just reading your post , my ignition solenoid  so far I've had no problem with it , but would be a very useful spare part to have , Would this ignition solenoid be the same part number as the the boost switch solenoid?
Title: Re: Ignition switch/solenoid
Post by: kgrover on July 27, 2025, 08:36:33 am
Depends on how you use your boost solenoid really. If you are using it to boost the cranking power, I'd make sure you get a solenoid that can handle the high current.

Trombetta 684-1221-032 (https://www.waytekwire.com/product/trombetta-684-1221-032-02-full-silver-powerseal?srsltid=AfmBOopL-_XqZeXTgLcWLrqc79S7_bUOTUTcp4Tkv2aOhflzHRvxY-b8)
Something like this would make a nice boost solenoid. Continuous duty cycle, 200A capacity, with a 1000A intermittent capacity.  It would work fine for the ignition too, the 1000A shouldn't be needed for the ignition, and the 200A should be enough capacity.
Title: Re: Ignition switch/solenoid
Post by: kevo0000 on July 27, 2025, 12:50:04 pm
Depends on how you use your boost solenoid really. If you are using it to boost the cranking power, I'd make sure you get a solenoid that can handle the high current.

Trombetta 684-1221-032 (https://www.waytekwire.com/product/trombetta-684-1221-032-02-full-silver-powerseal?srsltid=AfmBOopL-_XqZeXTgLcWLrqc79S7_bUOTUTcp4Tkv2aOhflzHRvxY-b8)
Something like this would make a nice boost solenoid. Continuous duty cycle, 200A capacity, with a 1000A intermittent capacity.  It would work fine for the ignition too, the 1000A shouldn't be needed for the ignition, and the 200A should be enough capacity.
Just had a look at that one ,yeah it looks good