GenSet Starter

[JusDreaming]

well I am continuing to knock items off the list that was built during the cruising season. So the next item is the starter on the diesel generator. Sometimes it starts some times nothing. Going back to the "Good Old Days" I tried to gently tap the solenoid, and nothing. But when I tap the starter it turns right over. So all season Diane would turn the key while I tapped the starter. It worked the whole time we were gone, but for some reason the "Admiral" thinks this scenario should be changed She thinks the key should start the generator!!!!!!!!!!!
The starter sits vertically, and the starter shaft sits in a "socket" inside the engine. I am thinking that when I tap the starter while turning the key, it allow the armature to be centered and begins to spin. So it is probably a shaft bushing
Any thoughts otherwise

[motion30]

Whatever the problem if you want to fix it pull it out and take it to your local auto electrial rebuilder Probably cost less to fix then you think

[osirissail]

Starters are little DC motors that have a commutator which is divided into sections. If the brushes and the sections of the commutator are sufficiently worn you will get "dead" spots where the starter motor will not begin to rotate. Also possibly the brushes are worn such that they do not make good contact and rapping on the case resets or moves the brushes.
- - In any case, like motion30 suggested, take the starter off the genset and take it to a good alternator/generator/starter shop and have then rebuild the unit. If that does not solve the problem, then buy a rebuilt starter unit for your generator. It is always a good idea to have a spare on board when cruising. When you have a spare starter on board, the original will never fail.

[JusDreaming]

well a new starter was 250.00 so I am 250.00 poorer.
But now the problem I have. The tech at the starter place said I need to replace the bushing for the starter shaft. WHich is down inside the engine. Well I don't know if that is a possibility. I REALLY don't want to/or can't remove the generator from it's location.
Does any one have experience with replacing a starter for a Farymann? And how important is it to replace the bushing?
The problem with the old starter was internal, (brushes holder broken), so I doubt the bushing was damaged. The gen has been started two or three times a week during the cruising season, then not started while at the marina while back home.

[Tayzach]

What type of Genset? I replaced the starter on my Fischer Panda.

[osirissail]

From the closest parts manual I can find, it appears that there is a oilite bearing inside the flywheel housing for the starter shaft to rest in. If the starter itself is not comprised of a casting that contains an integral bushing to support the end of the starter shaft and gear (that engages the flywheel), then replacing that bearing would most likely require removal of the flywheel to generator mating. Or simply put, a major disassembly of the generator.
- - Normally oilite bearings are "press-fit" into position and removal is definitely not easy or for the weak hearted.
- - For a check the "wear" of the bearing you would need the rotor of the old starter (the rotating part with all the starter casing, etc.) Then you would carefully slide that part down into position into the bearing and by using sidewise pressure see if there is any "slop" in the bearing. That is, like taking a clevis pin and inserting it into its position and seeing if you have any sideways movement of the pin because the hole for the pin was worn or enlarged due to wear.
- - The only way to know for sure if and how that bearing is would require a photo of the starter showing the end with the actual starter to flywheel gear. Without that photo we are just guessing.

[JusDreaming]

Originally Posted by Tayzach

What type of Genset? I replaced the starter on my Fischer Panda.

It is a "Norpro"

[JusDreaming]

Originally Posted by osirissail

- - The only way to know for sure if and how that bearing is would require a photo of the starter showing the end with the actual starter to flywheel gear. Without that photo we are just guessing.

you are guessing correctly. The bushing, brass, does in fact slide on to the tail shaft of the starter. And it does in fact look to me that to replace it would be a MAJOR task. I was hoping that someone could prove my analyse wrong.
The starter tech did say "you have to drive the other bushing out and tap the other in"