testing a starter

[rgierer]

I have recently purchased a 1982 GS850G in need of a bit of help. I have made headway but this evening even after putting the battery on the charger it would not turn over.

This is not altogether a surprise as i thought either the Batterry or the starter was bad. A battery is easy to test and it may not be great but it will hold 13.5 volts for a while.

I pulled the starer and decided to have a look. Nasty black ugly worlds inside that starter. the brushes were little nubs. I had contacted the PO to check on the starter and he indicated it was a recent replacement. It had a hard life before it came to this bike.

Now for the question. Should a starter spin if I use a 2 amp charger on it? Hook the red clip to the bolt and the black clip to the housing. should that spin the starter. It tries to spin but not quite there.

Any thoughts?

[mottyl]

2 amps? Probably not although I am not an expert. I have not looked in a manual but they might give the current draw for the starter.

Try it off a battery if you can. Even a car battery if you are just doing a quick test. The starter (unless it's bad) should not draw more current then is needed. The part I am unsure about is if the starter is unloaded. ie. not attached to the motor.

C

[rgierer]

the starter is on my kitchen counter

[Joe Nardy]

Robin,

I THINK I have spun a starter (out of the bike) with a 1 amp trickle charger but I'm not positive (no pun intended). ...........................I guess that's not much help.......

Joe

[chef1366]

Test it on your car battery with some jumper cables. Put the positive on the connection for the wire and just touch the negative to the end where the starter bolts in.

If it tests bad I have one sitting on my kitchen counter if you need it.

[SqDancerLynn1]

If it is good it will try and jump out of your hands. Try www.stockers.com for new brushes

[argonsagas]

If it is good it will try and jump out of your hands. Try www.stockers.com for new brushes

Yes, a starter will turn quite readily with power from the 2 amp charger.

Since it is has been removed from the engine it is free from load, so you will have more than enough power there.


Lynn is right, it will try to move as soon as electrical contact is made because it generates a lot of torque.

Stockers is definitely the way to go for new brush sets. I would go a step farther and recommend you buy the complete plate/brush assembly from them as there is only a small cost difference and it is ready to assemble immediately upon receipt.