Testing starter

[mick]

I want to bench-test my starter. I know it will have to be securely screwed down in case it takes off, but are there any other precautions I have to take to avoid damaging the thing (or myself)?
Thanks in advance.

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[Forbsie]

I bought a re-conditioned starter a few months ago and the guy just connected it to the battery to show me it working. I don't think he even held it.

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[Jean]

Has it been playing up, if not why the test requirement? Starter motors are normally "series wound" and thus require a mechanical load to pull the electrical current that produces the magnetic field (and speed is inversely proportional to this field). No load testing results in low magnetic field and hence high speed (tend to race away). Hence, suggest no load test is not representative of what it gets in practice so depends on why you wish to test it.

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[Avocet]

Any local auto-electrical repair shop (see Yellow Pages) ought to be able to test it. They're basically car starter motors.

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[ccscott49]

Bench testing a starter without load, is going to tell you nothing. It will probably turn, even if it's knackered. You need to have it tested properly on an auto electricians test bench, (octopus) then you'll know it's health exactly.

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