Is my Redarc knackered?

Submitted: Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 21:37
ThreadID: 38212 Views:6431 Replies:9 FollowUps:21
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Whilst away for the last ten days my Redarc Solenoid seemed to start misbehaving.

Its normal style is to to go "clunk" about ten seconds after starting the engine and then feeding power to the aux batt. It was still going clunk, and the little red light on it came on.

However, being the way I am, I always have a multi meter attached to the aux batt to monitor it. After the "clunk" the multi usually shows 13 to 14 volts. But it was only showing the standing voltage of the aux, anywhere from 12.1 to 12.4 depending on the time of day and charging routine.

Remembering how my Old Man had a problem with a starter motor solenoid on his EH many years ago; he would give it a tap with a hammer, gave me inspiration.

I simply gave the Redarc a solid tap with a tent peg and immediately the aux batt was showing 13+ volts.

Is it "Wellington Booted"?

Jim.
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Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 21:47

Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 21:47
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.
AnswerID: 197526

Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 22:00

Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 22:00
Good thinking to use a plastic tent peg to prevent sparks... LOL :-)
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FollowupID: 456021

Follow Up By: Jimbo - Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 22:07

Monday, Oct 02, 2006 at 22:07
Thanks Derek,

It's 2 years and 4 months old. I'd sort have hoped for better. This would appear to be the average life?

Is there a better option to replace it with?

Regards,

Jim Best.
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FollowupID: 456026

Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:08

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:08
We do a 200 amp ABR unit. Which runs heavy contacts. Bi-200
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FollowupID: 456067

Follow Up By: Stiphodon - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:41

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:41
Wow, Redarc's only last about 2yrs? I was just thinking of purchasing one too as I've heard good reviews. But, this seems like terrible value if it only works for a few years!

I will definitely look somewhere else
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FollowupID: 456070

Follow Up By: Mad Dog - Vic - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:49

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:49
50,000 cycles is very low even for a cheapo relay, would have though the Redarc was of a better quality than this.
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FollowupID: 456071

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 09:20

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 09:20
50,000 cycles is more that a few years usuage. I find mine clicks (or in Jimbo's words clunks) not long after you start your engine (maybe longer as the starter batt has to charge) and stays on until you turn the car off. Now lets say you start your car 10 times a day, that's 3500 cycles roughly/year which equates to 14 years of use. Seems pretty good to me. But someone please enlighten me if my theory isn't sound.

Leroy
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FollowupID: 456081

Follow Up By: LastAussieWorker - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:12

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:12
Furphy Derek ABR should change his handle
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FollowupID: 456304

Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:09

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:09
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 phone for an appointment.

Regards Derek.

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FollowupID: 456369

Reply By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:50

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:50
Give Redarc a call and ask them if it's normal life expectancy. Mines 3 yrs old and still going strong...
AnswerID: 197565

Reply By: Moggs - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:53

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 07:53
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.
AnswerID: 197566

Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 08:27

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 08:27
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
AnswerID: 197575

Reply By: Mad Dog - Vic - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 08:29

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 08:29
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.
AnswerID: 197577

Follow Up By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 10:30

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 10:30
Good advice Ray,

I spoke to Paul Savage at Redarc. He said it sounds like something mechanically wrong. No problem that it is 4 months out of warranty, they'll either fix it or replace it.

When I told him I was going away for the weekend he said send it express post and they'd have it back to me by Friday.

ATB,

Jim.
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FollowupID: 456089

Follow Up By: Time - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 10:39

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 10:39
Yep, always talk to Redarc direct. They are one of the best companies I have ever dealt with. Quick responses, knowledable, always willing to help even when the questions seem a bit lame, and as mentioned above prepared to back their products even if they are out of warranty. .........and no I have no affiliation with them.
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FollowupID: 456090

Follow Up By: Mad Dog - Vic - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:22

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:22
Redarc are the benchmark, others strive to provide such good service.

Thanks for the feedback Jim I thought they'd come through for you.
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FollowupID: 456096

Reply By: Member - 'Lucy' - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:16

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:16
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

AnswerID: 197603

Follow Up By: Mad Dog - Vic - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:23

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:23
eh!
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FollowupID: 456097

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:31

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:31
it's the medication Ray, he hasn't been the same since (going by other recent posts)! lol

Leroy
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FollowupID: 456098

Follow Up By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:35

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 11:35
Nothing to do with medication.

The poor old bastard is going mad/senile.

It's all been down hill for him since he turned 80.
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FollowupID: 456100

Follow Up By: Mad Dog - Vic - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 12:44

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 12:44
LMAO, whatever it is it needs fixing..lol
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FollowupID: 456110

Reply By: Member - Garth J (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 19:47

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006 at 19:47
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

AnswerID: 197667

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:19

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 10:19
But it went "clunk"?
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FollowupID: 456308

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:10

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:10
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.

AnswerID: 197817

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 18:34

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 18:34
Get a phone call did we? :)
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FollowupID: 456396

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 00:00

Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 00:00
Hi Derek,

Are you sure about the Redarc cycling with stop/start driving in rain with lights (high power draw with low alternator output)? For this to occur, voltage would have to drop <12.7V and this would be unlikley to happen even with wipers and headlights on at idle. I have a Redarc and this has never happened (I have fitted an indicator light in the dash so I know if its cycling).

While this could conceivably happen if the alternator was on the way out, or the electrical load was significantly greater due to multiple spotties on, it would have to be a very rare occurnece and not typical.

In my experince the redarc closes about 10 seconds after starting and stays that way, even when my aux battery was stuffed and my starter battery almost 3 years old.

Cheers

Captain
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FollowupID: 456450

Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 06:30

Thursday, Oct 05, 2006 at 06:30
Hi Captain,

Yes very sure.

Fitted a dual batery kit and a set of Lightforce 240 Blitz on Tuesday.

While setting the focus of the lights at idle the Redarc was working very hard indeed.
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FollowupID: 456456

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