HD Solenoid 586-120111, need diode or resistor?

[krugerand777]

Ok thanks guys....good news I hooked up the hd F/R switch solenoid and all new cables and got the cart running

Will try to get the correct sized resistor and swap out,

[krugerand777]

A follow up question, if I find a 10watt resistor with many more than 250 ohms does it matter?

Is more better?

I really don't know what those numbers mean so if at least 10 watts and at least 220 ohms is satisfactory but anything bigger is fine then I can just buy whatever is available and not have to order online??

[JohnnieB]

The 10 Watt part is how much heat the resistor can tolerate without burning out.

The Ohms part is how much opposition there is to current flow. The higher the Ohms, the more resistance.

If you have a 36V system, the value should be around 250 Ohms and for a 48V system it should be around 470 Ohms.

My guess is that anything between about 200 to 300 Ohms would work for a 36V system and between about 400 to 500 Ohms for a 48V system.

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There are a bunch of filter capacitors in the controller and the resistor "pre-charges" them so the solenoid contacts don't arc as much when they close. The cart will run without resistor, but the solenoid won't last as long.

[krugerand777]

Thanks JB

[scottyb]

More ohms is not better. More ohms (resistance) = less voltage crossing the bridge = a lower pre-charge = less protection from initial voltage spikes.