crown22
Well-Known Member
Need a new starter motor.Why didn't the fuse blow.Starter motor was operated for 30mins with engine running after being lifted in.
Starter motor nearly catches fire
- Thread starter crown22
- Start date
lustyd
Well-Known Member
Was it actually being driven by electricity or did the pinion just stick in the on position and get driven by the engine? I'm guessing that it just stuck, in which case it's not an electrical issue so a fuse wouldn't blow.
crown22
Well-Known Member
The key was jammed in the start position and the noise of the engine drowned out the noise of the starter motor.
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
Does it actually have a fuse at the engine starter battery ?
The wiring and fuse are rated for operating the starter, so no reason for the fuse to blow. The fact that the starter isn't rated for continuous use and over heated isn't something for the fuse to deal with.
crown22
Well-Known Member
Very valuable resource this forum Thanks very much
crown22
Well-Known Member
Just goes to show that a fuse won't always prevent a fire
lustyd
Well-Known Member
Fuses only prevent fires in the wire they are designed to protect. Unfortunately in your situation that doesn't help.
Plenty of people have made this mistake, usually only once. I can't think of a clever way to prevent it unfortunately other than changing to a start button (which many boats have instead of a key). On our boat we'd have to physically hold the start button in to have this issue.
Plenty of people have made this mistake, usually only once. I can't think of a clever way to prevent it unfortunately other than changing to a start button (which many boats have instead of a key). On our boat we'd have to physically hold the start button in to have this issue.
mjcp
Well-Known Member
I have had good service from The Starter Motor & Alternator Co
I think they have *actually* seen and touched a boat starter, unlike some of the online retailers who dropship chineesium.
M
snowbird30ds
Well-Known Member
If the engine was driving the starter it would be drawing very little current so no fuse blow.
Alex_Blackwood
Well-Known Member
+1 for above. He doesn't actually say if his starter is U/S. Plus a starter motor, engaged and being driven by the engine, or running disengaged will draw very little current so wouldn't blow a fuse, even if there is one.
crown22
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys the solenoid on this pre engaged starter is knackered.The end of the rod that pushes against the actuator(?) had bits broken off.There was a smell of burning inside the boat which took some time to find the source of.
Boater Sam
Well-Known Member
Lancashire Rotating Electricals will sort that out much cheaper than a new one including shipping.
Babylon
Well-Known Member
My boat's Beta panel has a key, but it is spring-loaded to return to the neutral position from both pre-heat (held anticlockwise) and start (held clockwise); stop is a button.
mrangry
Well-Known Member
I have experienced this also as I purchased a cheap generic spring loaded key switch to replace a starter button that had failed. Burned out both the starter and alternator on Yanmar. Needless to say I now have a button for cranking
penberth3
Well-Known Member
The switch can still fail internally, so don't get too complacent!
oilybilge
Well-Known Member
Don't forget the annual squirt of WD40 into the keyhole!
lustyd
Well-Known Member
Might be better to use a lube, WD40 will strip it bare and make it rust!
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
Had a customers key switch stick in the stop position. The stop solenoid isn't rated for continuous use so got very hot, melted inside, shorted the wiring and the whole engine loom melted together, very close to catching fire. The circuit breaker didn't trip!
Babylon
Well-Known Member
I never use WD40 on anything these days. What lube? Lock oil? 3-in-1 oil, silicon spray (mast-track) lube?
Babylon
Well-Known Member
True, but at least the engine panel is inside the boat rather than directly exposed to the corrosive elements in the cockpit.
