[Highway]

Will a standard Ford solenoid handle a continuous current from the battery? I'm thinking about using a Ford solenoid as a remote shut off switch on my truck. It's a security measure, anti-theft, not a safety feature.

Thanks,
Highway

[ericnova72]

No, it will not handle continuous duty, and will burn up(overheat) in a matter of hours, if not minutes. On time I tried it, it was about 20 minutes of on/off testing of the wiring harness, and it failed as soon as we tried to actually run the car for more than a few minutes. Never even made it to the road.

It is a high current, intermittent load relay. You need a high current, continuous load relay.

[Highway]

Great info, thanks ericnova72.

[poncho62]

I use that type of solenoid on my Meyers snowplow....but it is only short periods....I have gotten it warm, but hasn't failed.

They do make similar solenoids for RVs to keep the auxiliary battery charged.....Maybe taht would work for you

[Denny]

Absolutely, you need a Solenoid Relay Switch Continuous Duty. You can get a 100 amp one for about 25.00.

example:
100 amp continuous duty relay. Keeps all the high amperage under the hood where it belongs. Use your pressure switch and or on/off toggle switch to turn relay on and off. Made in the USA by PrestoLite.