Cole Hersee Solenoids

Cole Hersee Solenoids: A Century of Heavy-Duty Electrical Engineering

Cole Hersee has been one of the most trusted names in heavy-duty vehicle electrical components since 1924. Since Cole Hersee was founded in 1924, they have been a pioneer and leader in the development of heavy-duty electrical products for the vehicle industry, and have earned a reputation for quality and value. That century-long pedigree is on full display in their solenoids lineup — a product category where precision engineering, material quality, and long-term reliability matter as much as raw specs.

What Makes Cole Hersee Solenoids Stand Out

A solenoid is an electromagnetic relay used in a direct current wiring system between a low current capacity switch and a high current load requirement. By using a solenoid, the amount of heavy wiring needed to power the load is reduced, since the control circuit mounted inside the cab typically utilizes a smaller wire gauge. Cole Hersee has refined this fundamental technology across decades of real-world use in trucks, buses, marine vessels, and off-road equipment.

Cole Hersee relays and solenoids are available in plated steel, phenolic, or plasticized steel — giving installers and OEMs the flexibility to choose the right housing material for their specific operating environment. Many models also feature PVC-coated insulated housings for added protection against moisture, vibration, and corrosion, making them equally at home under the hood of a Class 8 truck or in a marine electrical panel.

A Range Built for Every Application

Cole Hersee's solenoid lineup includes both continuous and intermittent duty series, dividing into single- and double-pole switches (SPST and DPST). Voltage options span 6V, 12V, 24V, and 36V systems, ensuring compatibility across a wide variety of platforms.

• Continuous Duty Solenoids: Designed for 12V DC systems and capable of handling up to 85 amps for high-current loads, with a single On/Off coil and normally open contacts for reliable, long-term performance. Heavy-duty 200A models are also available with silver contacts for the most demanding continuous duty applications.
• Latching Solenoids: Cole Hersee's latching solenoid operates on 12V continuous duty and requires only a momentary application of coil power to operate, generating very little heat — with the coil de-energized when the solenoid is "ON." This design is ideal for battery management and power distribution applications where energy efficiency is critical.
• Forward/Reverse (DPST) Solenoids: Cole Hersee's DPST solenoids provide two circuits for forward and reverse systems, with continuous duty normally closed contacts at 35A and normally open contacts at 85A.
• Master & Starter Solenoids: Available in 12V continuous duty master configurations and 12V grounded intermittent duty starter configurations, these units are trusted in aviation ground support and marine applications alike.

Built to Industry Standards

Cole Hersee has collaborated on many basic industry standards and is a preferred supplier of over 2,000 dependable vehicle products and accessories. Cole Hersee is ISO 9001:2008 certified, reinforcing a manufacturing commitment to consistency and quality that commercial OEMs and professional technicians depend on. Most Cole Hersee solenoids are designed for heavy-duty on-road vehicles, but many products feature high levels of protection and meet specific requirements that allow for use on marine vessels too.

Whether you're building out a custom truck electrical system, replacing a worn starter solenoid, or specifying components for a marine power circuit, Cole Hersee solenoids deliver the dependability that demanding environments require. Browse the full selection of solenoids or explore the complete Cole Hersee product catalog to find the right solution for your application.