200182000 Auto Crane Main Power Solenoid Relay - 12V Continuous Duty - 80A - 4-Post Isolated Coil

Main Power Solenoid for Auto Crane — Replaces 200182000

Fix the "click-no-pump" problem. This is the main power solenoid relay for Auto Crane service cranes — the heavy-duty contactor that sends battery power to the hydraulic pump motor. When it fails, you hear the solenoid click but the pump doesn't spin and the crane is completely dead. Direct replacement for Auto Crane 200182000. 12V continuous duty, 80-amp rated, 4-post isolated coil design with silver alloy contacts. In stock at $119.

The Problem

You flip the crane power switch. You hear the solenoid "click" under the truck body, but the hydraulic pump doesn't engage. No pump = no hydraulic pressure = no boom, no winch, no outriggers, no crane. The service truck is generating $150+ per hour in billable work, and right now it's a very expensive pickup truck with a dead crane on the back.

What happened? The main power solenoid is the high-amperage relay that connects the truck battery to the crane's hydraulic pump motor. Over time, the internal contacts arc, pit, and burn from the massive inrush current of the pump motor. Eventually the contacts can't carry enough current to spin the pump — even though the coil still clicks. The solenoid "sounds" fine but can't deliver the amps. Classic failure mode.

Auto Crane dealers charge $175–$210 for this solenoid. Meanwhile, your crew is standing around and your customer is calling.

The Solution

Heavy-duty Type 70 industrial solenoid built for continuous-duty crane service. This is the industry-standard metal-can solenoid configuration used in thousands of commercial and industrial applications — it's the workhorse of the 12V power relay world. Silver alloy contacts resist arcing and pitting better than copper, which means longer service life in the high-amp crane pump circuit.

Specifications

• Auto Crane OEM Part Number: 200182000
• Type: Main Power Solenoid / Contactor
• Voltage: 12V DC
• Current Rating: 80A Continuous / 150A Inrush
• Duty Cycle: Continuous (100% On-Time rated)
• Coil Type: Isolated Coil (4-Terminal design)
• Contacts: Silver Alloy (arc/pit resistant)
• Terminals: 4-Post — 2 large 5/16" power studs + 2 small #10-32 trigger studs
• Housing: Sealed metal cylinder, water and dust resistant
• Condition: Brand New

Terminal Identification

This solenoid has 4 posts — this is how you know it's the correct isolated-coil design:

• 2 Large Posts (5/16" studs): Battery power in, pump motor power out. These carry the full 80A+ pump current.
• 2 Small Posts (#10-32 studs): Coil trigger circuit. These connect to the crane control system — when the operator activates the crane, these energize the coil which slams the internal contacts closed, connecting battery to pump.

If your existing solenoid has 4 posts (2 large + 2 small), this is the correct replacement. If it has only 3 posts, your crane uses a grounded-coil configuration — contact us to verify the correct part.

Compatible Equipment

This solenoid fits the following Auto Crane models (verify part number 200182000 in your manual):

• Auto Crane 3203
• Auto Crane 4004
• Auto Crane 5005
• Auto Crane 6006
• Auto Crane 8005
• Auto Crane HC-Series (HC-4, HC-5, HC-6, HC-8 — verify PN)

⚠️ Verify part number 200182000 in your Auto Crane service manual. If your crane is a different model or vintage, the solenoid spec may differ. Contact us with your crane model and serial number if you're unsure.

Symptoms of a Failed Main Power Solenoid

• Click but no pump: You hear the solenoid engage but the hydraulic pump doesn't spin — the contacts are burned and can't pass enough current
• Intermittent pump operation: Pump works sometimes, fails randomly — pitted contacts are making/breaking inconsistently
• Slow pump startup: Pump spins up slowly or sluggishly — contacts are degraded and can't deliver full amperage
• No click at all: Solenoid coil has failed — no magnetic pull to close the contacts
• Solenoid is hot to the touch: Excessive resistance from burned contacts generates heat — the solenoid body or wiring will be noticeably hot
• Melted or discolored wiring at the solenoid: Burned contacts create resistance, which creates heat, which melts the wire insulation and cable lugs
• Pump runs even with crane switched off: Contacts have welded shut — the solenoid can't disconnect the pump from the battery (replace immediately — this will drain the battery and overheat the pump motor)

Why "Continuous Duty" Matters

Some solenoids are rated for "intermittent duty" — they can handle short bursts of current but will overheat if left energized for extended periods. Auto Crane service cranes often run the hydraulic pump for extended continuous periods during long picks, material handling, or when the crane is holding a load. A continuous-duty solenoid is rated for 100% on-time — it can stay energized indefinitely without overheating or degrading. Never substitute an intermittent-duty solenoid in a crane application. It will overheat and fail within weeks.

Why Silver Alloy Contacts Matter

Every time the solenoid engages, the pump motor draws a 150-amp inrush surge through the contacts. This surge creates an electric arc that pits and burns the contact surfaces. Copper contacts degrade quickly under this punishment. Silver alloy contacts resist arcing and pitting significantly better, maintaining low-resistance contact longer — which means more reliable pump starts and longer solenoid life. This is the same contact material used in the factory solenoid.

Why Buy From Trenchwell?

• Fix the "Click-No-Pump" Today: When the main solenoid fails, the crane is completely dead. No boom, no winch, no outriggers. Your $150/hour service truck is parked. A $119 solenoid gets it running again — today.
• Save $55–$90 vs Dealer: Auto Crane dealers charge $175–$210 for this solenoid. We offer the identical industrial-grade unit at $119.
• Continuous Duty Rated: 100% on-time. Rated for the sustained, heavy-duty service that crane applications demand. Not an intermittent-duty substitute.
• Silver Alloy Contacts: Resists arcing and pitting from the pump motor's 150A inrush current. Lasts longer than copper-contact solenoids in high-cycle crane service.
• In Stock, Ships Now: Your crane is dead and the dealer is quoting weeks. We have it on the shelf.
• 4-Post Isolated Coil: Correct configuration for Auto Crane applications. The isolated coil design prevents ground loops between the control circuit and the power circuit, reducing electrical noise and protecting the crane's electronic controls.

Installation Notes

• Disconnect the battery before working on the solenoid — the large power studs carry full battery voltage and amperage. A wrench across the terminals will arc-weld and cause serious burns.
• Locate the main power solenoid — typically mounted under the truck body near the crane base, accessible from underneath or behind a panel
• Photograph the existing wiring before disconnecting — note which cable goes to which stud
• Remove the cables from the 4 posts (2 large power cables + 2 small coil wires)
• Remove the mounting hardware (typically 2 bolts or a mounting bracket)
• Compare old and new solenoids — verify the same 4-post configuration and stud sizes
• Mount the new solenoid in the same position
• Reconnect the large power cables to the 5/16" studs — one from battery, one to pump motor
• Reconnect the small coil trigger wires to the #10-32 studs
• Torque all terminal nuts snugly — loose connections create resistance and heat
• Reconnect the battery
• Test: activate the crane power switch — you should hear a solid "click" AND the hydraulic pump should spin up immediately
• Operate the crane through all functions (boom, winch, rotate) to verify normal operation
• Check the solenoid and wiring after 30 minutes of operation — nothing should be hot to the touch

Frequently Asked Questions

I hear the click but the pump won't spin — is it definitely the solenoid?
In most cases, yes. The "click-no-pump" symptom is classic for burned solenoid contacts — the coil still has enough magnetism to click, but the contacts can't pass the 80+ amps needed to spin the pump. To confirm: with the solenoid clicking, use a voltmeter to check for battery voltage on the pump-side stud. If you have 12V on the battery-side stud but 0V (or low voltage) on the pump-side stud while the solenoid is engaged, the contacts are burned. Replace the solenoid.

Why does this solenoid keep failing?
The hydraulic pump motor draws a 150-amp inrush surge every time the solenoid engages. Over thousands of cycles, this arc pits and burns the contacts. Higher-cycle operations (frequent on/off with the crane) accelerate wear. If your solenoid is failing prematurely (less than 1 year), check for: (1) loose terminal connections creating heat, (2) a pump motor drawing excessive current (worn brushes or bearings in the pump), or (3) low battery voltage forcing the solenoid to work harder.

What's the difference between 3-post and 4-post solenoids?
A 3-post solenoid has one trigger terminal and uses the mounting bracket as the ground for the coil (grounded coil). A 4-post solenoid has two trigger terminals and the coil is electrically isolated from the housing (isolated coil). Auto Crane uses the 4-post isolated coil design. Do not substitute a 3-post solenoid — the wiring and ground path are different.

The solenoid is stuck ON — the pump runs even with the crane switched off. Is this dangerous?
Yes. The internal contacts have welded shut, meaning the pump is running directly off the battery with no way to disconnect it from the operator's controls. This will drain the battery, overheat the pump motor, and potentially pressurize the hydraulic system when nobody is at the controls. Disconnect the battery immediately and replace the solenoid before operating the crane.

Can I use an automotive starter solenoid instead?
No. Automotive starter solenoids are rated for intermittent duty — a few seconds of engagement to crank the engine. A crane power solenoid runs for minutes or hours at a time (continuous duty). An automotive solenoid will overheat, weld shut, or fail within days in a crane application. Always use a continuous-duty solenoid rated for 100% on-time.