Quieter Solenoid for your Hunting Buggy

[Cruise Master]

Old sayin' up north. You're OK with one shot, two shots, and the Game Warden knows where you are.

Guessing you're OK with one click.

[Gazoo]

A deer can hear the safety come off from 50 yards out...

[NCPW]

Yes they can

[TahoeDawgZ71]

Originally Posted by Gazoo

A deer can hear the safety come off from 50 yards out...

No doubt about it.

Originally Posted by ThreeCW

I made a sound clip of the LEV200 solenoid noise levels but I was not able to post it to this forum (format was not on the BGW accepted list)

Regards, 3CW

3CW
I see you used the I phone to record
it is a mp4a sound track
i converted it to mp3
i also made a stupid video to play it ..LOL

You Tube

You Tube

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by crash test dummy

3CW
I see you used the I phone to record
it is a mp4a sound track
i converted it to mp3
i also made a stupid video to play it ..LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9JAPF7tkRI

Crash!! Looking good buddy!

[tbluge]

Originally Posted by ThreeCW

This is a new thread to “un-highjack” (with no offence intended to those hijackers, I have been guilty of that myself ): http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...solenoids.html . I thought that this was an important enough subject on its own to warrant a new thread.

A number of BGW members have noted there is a problem with the heavy duty 400 amp solenoids being “too loud” for hunting buggy applications.

I recently replaced the solenoid / contactor in my 1998 Cushman 48v Utility Cart (Curtis 600 amp controller, GE 6.5 hp motor) with a Tyco Kilovac LEV200 Contactor – rated at 500 amp continuous. This contactor is a sealed unit that can “operate in explosive / harsh environments”. See attached LEV200 spec sheet for more rating information. I have also attached a Alltrax 400A spec sheet for comparison purposes, as this appears to be a common HD replacement solenoid used on carts today.

I installed the LEV200 Contactor and found it to be significantly quieter than my previous OEM solenoid (which I identified as a Ezgo / Club Car / Yamaha type … see attached photo). How quiet is the LEV200? Let’s say that I have to actually listen carefully when I turn on the key switch or I might miss it. When I engage my Fwd Rev Contactor (Curtis Albright SW202N-228, 48v), I find that it is a step or two louder than the LEV200 (not sure how many decibels per step!). I believe that the LEV200 is quieter due to it being a totally sealed unit.

As suggested by TahoeDawgZ71 (in the thread above), to help reduce the sound of a solenoid operating:

In addition, I believe that the LEV200 is actually made in the USA.

See photos and specifications below.

Regards, 3CW

I know this was awhile ago - but i'm interested in a more quiet and selenoid....really dont like the loud 'clicking'. Has anyone had success with this compared to the Altrax HD selenoid? i'll be running a 500A SR Controller.

Also since we're on the topic , wondering about the Reversing contractors - and if anyone has insight to quet that down / eliminate the contant clicking. Looking at the SW202 But i might just stick with the standard HD f/r switch to eliminate it. Sure would be nice to have a switch though :)


1998 TXT Series cart w/ 48v upgrade.... Thanks!

[Sergio]

We had a recent thread about reducing the number of "clicks" from both Solenoid and Reversing contactor for hunting.

Here is some more information and an idea I posted, if you enjoy doing electrical projects, that applies to hunting or street use and safely reduces the clicks and extends the life of those devices:

https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/show...34&postcount=1