Cole Hersee 24213 12V 200A Continuous Solenoid

This simple, reliable mechanical solenoid has given me more peace of mind while traveling than I expected. I hit the switch and it simply opens the circuit, or closes it. Works every time. I use this solenoid to link my solar batteries to the alternator under the hood. I only use this connection occasionally, thus, the switch, and I never doubt its reliability, ever. This setup tops off my batteries while driving, and helps keep my batteries, and me, happy, when the sun is lacking. Very pleased I spent just a little extra for this high quality, Cole Hersee brand solenoid.

This is a genuine Cole Hersee relay. It's a good value for a 200-rated relay from a name brand vendor. I'm using it to isolate two batteries in my 07 Tacoma (originally wth a 130 amp alternator; now with a 200-amp). I do wish the studs were a little longer. I replaced the nut and split washer with a serrated flanged nut to fit two battery lugs. But I needed room for one more lug and had to install a junction block. I strongly suspect other relays have same length studs, so I'm not really faulting the design. Will be upgrading to a 200 amp alternator soon; then, I'll really see how the relay holds up. 4/6/17 update: Installed the 200-amp alternator about a month ago. Relay is doing it's job as expected. Will bump up to 5 stars if relay gives me another year of worry-free service. 3/28/19 update: solenoid continues to function as expected. My daughter gave it a challenge. She left my 400 watt inverter on and left the solenoid on (I’m using a manual switch). That killed both batteries, but the solenoid points held up and the solenoid lives on. Raising rating to five stars.

This is the go-to replacement boost solenoid for many motorhomes.

This solenoid replaced the battery disconnect solenoid in our motorhome. The original solenoid only had three lugs and this one had four. Adding a ground wire to the 4th lug provided the necessary ground connection. Installation was simple and the solenoid has been working perfectly. The OEM solenoid was only rated at 85 amps for continuous duty and this one is 200 amps continuous, which was the main reason I selected it.

This brand is pretty reliable and works great on my RV.

Replaced the stock solenoid that failed in a Travato 59k. No problems.

As pictured no packing material and part rolled or slammed around in shipping container. No documentation as to orientation of solenoid mounting and the amperage draw of the input coils. Not even at the manufacture web site!! After going through forums and other sites, what I found if the sources can be trusted is that it is suppose to be mounted with the cap that has stamped name on it down or south. Also that it supposedly draws 1/2 amp on the input coils. I have it on a 5amp fuse on my fuse box and a 3amp inline slow blow fuse at the solenoid input. Also have it on a dedicated disconnect switch. Haven't really used it like I want to yet ,{ isolating my coach battery from the engine charging system while parked but charging it when the engine is running.} I did however leave the solenoid energized for an hour to check if it got hot. Seems to be normal with minimal heat. The unit seems to be well built and you can definitely hear the solenoid activate when powered on. If it wasn't for the packaging and the lack of documentation, zip nada!! I would have scored it higher.

Bought three and only two were good. The bad one was glitchy for about two years, then would only operate if posts were jumped. These are far too expensive to gamble with such odds. One has rarely been used in the past year and I am now leery of how long it might last once put back to work. All were well within specifications of the advertised workload, mostly activating low draw LED lights. Worst part is that I have not received a reply from the manufacturer. Hard to consider supporting this brand again given their quality issues and total lack of communication. I bought a different solenoid here on Amazon for less than $17 and for the days it has been in service, it has performed just as well as one of these when they work.