Topic: Push button starter

[sky56]

Doing a custom wiring job on my project and it's all going to go into a santee box. The push button starter I bought is rated at max of 10A is this ok or do I need to get a different one rated for more amps? And the package says it can be used for a starter in case you were wondering. Thanks

[bollingball]

Depends on (what bike) some have a headlight cutout circuit some don't.What amp draw does your starter have? are you planing on a relay to take load off starter SW.?

[sky56]

It's going on a 74 750K motor that's been bored out to 836. As for the other stuff I'm not sure of any of that. If it's something I can check just tell me how or a link to a diff site or thread. Thanks for the help

[Bodi]

If you use the solenoid relay for the starter motor then this switch is fine for the solenoid coil power.
You can not run the starter motor directly with this switch. There are switches designed for starter motors but the only ones I've seen are foot switches, quite large, made to mount in a car floor, and require a huge push to operate - not finger pressure. You do not want to run the starter motor wires (big big big wires) up to the steering head anyway. It's not unusual with Santee boxes to use an automotive key switch with a "start" position, eliminating the start button.
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/santee_wiring_instructions/santee_wiring_instructions.pdf
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/original_santee_instructions/original_santee_instructions.html
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/santee_box/santee_box.html
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/sc_electrics/sc_electrics_1.html

[sky56]

Awesome thank you. The ignition switch I currently have is an old honda one with the off and 2 dots next to it on the face. It has 4 wires coming out of it. Are you referring to car style switch that can be cranked? Also what is a solenoid relay? I know what a starter solenoid is. Thanks

[Bodi]

"starter solenoid" usually means a solenoid relay but with automotive non-Bendix starter drives the "solenoid" is a magnetic actuator that moves the starter motor gear out to engage the flywheel whereupon it actuates a switch to complete the starter motor electrical circuit. The one on our bikes is just a relay, but to make clear that it is a high current relay for starter use these have become known as a solenoid or solenoid relay. Technically a solenoid is just a coil of wire.

[sky56]

Ah thanks for clarifying that for me. I'm not opposed to using a car style ignition I just figure why not make what I have work since I know it will. Any additional input is very welcome. Thanks

[j squared]

Are you guys just taking about replacing what would be the push-button starter on the right-hand control with a different switch? Or re-running the actual starter power lead through a switch.

I am asking because I used a different switch for my starter signal (NOT the power lead) and just connected the two wires (74 cb550) from the stock switch to my own momentary switch.  Seemed like a fine idea, the stock wires are the small, 16g size so it can't be pushing too much current through them.

[sky56]

Since I'm going a custom route with my bike. I'm looking to keep my bars pretty clean and one of my thoughts is putting the starter button on the santee box along with key and headlight switch as most people do.

[j squared]

I got that, just wondering why you couldnt use the standard wiring for the OEM push button starter for this and use any type of aftermarket momentary switch.  All this switch does is give a low-voltage signal to the starting circuit, right?  Its surely not taking the full load of the starter through the OEM switch.

[sky56]

That's actually a really good thought. I'm def going to look into it. Thanks

[Bodi]

"any type" of switch is not quite true. The coil draws a fair inrush current and, as an inductive load, has a high kickback voltage. You get some sparking both on connect and disconnect. The Honda starter switch is very small but is actually a pretty robust switch, I would guess about 10A capacity.
A switch rated 3A AC resistive load (typical common switch) might weld itself ON. This is pretty common. Or it might just burn out.
The difference between resistive and inductive load is the inductor's characteristic high inrush current and kickback voltage on disconnect.
To be safe I would get a push button switch rated 10A DC inductive load. This won't be cheap - or available at Radio Shack. Newark or Digikey will have them.
An aftermarket automotive ignition keyswitch is designed for exactly this application and, if it is an acceptable option for you, is probably the best choice.

[chippyfive50]

I left my ignition swt in the stock position and put the
Push button starter in the headlight bucket.
Piece o cake. Been working 5 yrs now.
Getting rid of turnsignals altogether
Really helps clean up the bars too

[funkdr5]

i got the really small button from cyclex. works great also change the turn-hi/low-horn switch to a much smaller one. now I'm looking for a different brake fluid resevoir.