Testing Starter-Generators

Build a test fixture. It could be as simple as a board with two holes in it that lets you use a big hose clamp to hold the device. Then, with pulley chucked into a drill and a V-belt you can drive the S-G.

The rest you should be able to figure out.

Good Luck.

Like Lyn said, build yourself a simple test fixture, and use a 12 volt DC motor, or a 110 AC motor to turn your test equipment. A 12 volt starter is better than nothing if thats all you have. A few simple gauges should tell you everything you need to know.

I would check

1. It doesn't smell of burnt electrics

2. the commutator and brushes look in good condition, and the brush wires are OK

3. the field resistance is reasonable, about 4 ohm (measured between field terminal and S-G body). Much lower indicates a short to earth, much higher a break in the coil.

4. the rotor winding resistance is low, < 0.1 ohm at a guess (measured between output terminal and S-G body). Much higher means a break in the coil.

5. lift the output brush off the commutator and check resistance between output terminal and S-G body. Should be high, low indicates a short to earth somewhere

If it passes all that there's a good chance it's fine.

Codey

thanks, this is exactly the information i'm looking for.