Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

Your Redarc has burn't contacts.

The Redarc is good for around 50 000 cycles.

2 to 3 years.

May be time to replace it.

Regards Derek.

Member - MrBitchi (QLD) replied:

Give Redarc a call and ask them if it's normal life expectancy. Mines 3 yrs old and still going strong...

Moggs replied:

Hi Jimbo,

Had a similar problem with my Redarc after I moved it from the Pathfinder to the Patrol. In the end it was an issue with the earth cable at the rear - bolt was loose. Scraped some more paint away, tightened it up and now works fine. Worth checking the earth in the cargo area (If Batteryworld set yours up the same as mine).

Hope all is well, long time no speak - hope to see you and Jenny sometime over summer.

Willem replied:

Jimbo

My Rotronics died after two years. Maybe these devices are all of the same ilk.

I now have a normal bush solenoid with an inboard dash switch. It works just as well.

Cheers

Mad Dog - Vic replied:

If you cant resolve the issue I suggest you contact Redarc even though the unit is 4 months out of warranty. Something is abnormal there and I'm sure they'd be happy to hear about it at least.

Member - 'Lucy' replied:

Good onya Jimbo

If you would stop playing with your tool/s (couldn't be that silly playing with one) they would last forever.

Thinkl I might have to give that Redarc dude a call and tell him the real situation.

(1) Jimbo check every day - switch on and off just to hear the 'clunk'

(2) Then test the voltage.

By The way - how many multi meters do you go through a year.

(3) Turning it off and on rapidly many times to see if one can play a 'clunking'
tune such as 'Toolangi blues' or the 'Jerrycan Owner'. Something racy and snappy.

This by the way can and does exceed the allowed 50,000 on/offs guaranteed by Redarc.

(4) Having a drag on those 'extra special' cigarettes and then staring at the 'little red light' thingy to attain a higher plain of awareness

(5) Flogging, belting and/or bashing it with anything available to show it who is boss when that sought after 'little red light' doesn't come on.

Yep can see that warranty being 'discussed' right now.

Maybe they will send you six for all the time you spend R&D-ing it for them.

Till next beer and pizza night

Ms L

Member - Garth J (NSW) replied:

Well I just installed mine on Saturday.
Only 49,970 cycles to go!!!

But seriously the voltage thing in regard to earthing might be a problem.

All solenoid devices require a higher current to allow the coil to pickup the armature than what is required to retain it so if you have a bad earth connection and hence maybe a lower voltage differential this will produce a lower current and thus less magnetic flux (field) to pick the solenoid up.

This is based on the fact that the resistance of the coil is a constant because we are talking about dc as opposed to ac.

Regards
Garth

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

Just to clarify a few items in this thread.

50 000 Cycles.

Your Redarc will cycle in and out while you drive and depending on alternator output and load on the cranking battery at the time will determine how many times the unit will cycle in one trip. Stop start driving in the rain with lights on will cause the Redarc to cycle very often.

I take 2 to 3 years life as an extreme situation and most will last 10 years or so.

Many of my customers have moved a Redarc from their old 4wd and fitted it to their new 4wd.

If your Redarc fails there is a reason. Check for these reasons before replacing the unit to make sure it won't happen again.

Redarc is on the ball with their warranties and help line. Speak to Paul if needed and he will help you with any queries.

We are proud to promote Redarc isolators and stock the popular range of Redarc isolators and if you are in Brisbane and need a quick test just let me know and call for an appointment.

Regards Derek.