Can I energize my starter without the flywheel installed to test?

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lndwarrior

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #1

Starting to test my electrical system and wondering if I can power the starter to check the electrical function without the flywheel attached? Or can this damage it?

It's a Skytech starter.

TIA
Gary

 

cajunwings

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #2

Starter test

Should be fine. I wouldn't let it windup to high rpm. Skytec tech support is very helpful.

Don Broussard

RV 9 Rebuild in Progress

 

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Mark Curley

Well Known Member

Patron

• Mar 27, 2016

• #3

Be ready to disconnect the ground cable if you wiring is wrong or solenoid sticks for some reason. You might think about having a second person hold the start button (switch?) while you touch the ground to the battery for a second to confirm correct solenoid operation.

 

skylor

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #4

spark68 said:

Be ready to disconnect the ground cable if you wiring is wrong or solenoid sticks for some reason. You might think about having a second person hold the start button (switch?) while you touch the ground to the battery for a second to confirm correct solenoid operation.

Click to expand...

Killing the master should take care of this...

 

Jesse

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #5

I often click the starter without the power wire connected to the starter to hear the solenoid click.

 

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy

Mentor

• Mar 27, 2016

• #6

Jesse said:

I often click the starter without the power wire connected to the starter to hear the solenoid click.

Click to expand...

I do it this way as well, and check for voltage on the starter cable at the same time. I can be pretty sure the starter will spin once I connect it in that case.

 

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lr172

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #7

This routinely done in testing starters. Does no damage.

 

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lndwarrior

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #8

I tried it and blew a fuse twice.

Not sure how or where I screwed up but something is shorted - arghhh!

 

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Ron B.

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #9

Where do you have a fuse?

 

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lndwarrior

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #10

Test fuse inline

Ron B. said:

Where do you have a fuse?

Click to expand...

I set up a test connection with an inline fuse to test one circuit at a time. It was this test fuse that blew.

 

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lndwarrior

Well Known Member

• Mar 27, 2016

• #11

NEVER MIND

Most of you will figure out from my last post what went wrong. The light came on for me just after I made my own comment about my test fuse .

Duh! Of course I blew my 7.5 amp fuse them I tried to run my starter current thru it!!! Apparently I got confused between the starter relay current and the full load of the starter current.

Well, that's why we're test the electrical system, right?

And, yes, I do feel a little foolish right now!