Lucky to be ALIVE!!!

[yelbike]

Life is short. Then you're in the ground.

Now that's a good one! ROFL!

 

[yelbike]

Well, you might have the right idea, but your analogy is flawed :c). Problem is, most starter motors will draw a fair amount of current, over 150 amps is not uncommon for a starter turning a high compression (think diesel) or big displacement engine. Your wee little 50 amp fuse would blow if it were in the circuit when you "connect" the two heavy solenoid terminals with that wrench. But you are in luck, 'cause the negative terminal of the battery is connected to chassis ground, and the positive terminal has a heavy wire going from it directly to one of the big connectors on the solenoid. The other big solenoid terminal goes to the starter motor, of course, and the other starter motor terminal (internal and not exposed), is connected to chassis ground. For obvious high current reasons, no fuses are in the starter circuit in most every vehicle I'm aware of.

It's just like a loop (circuit) with the "open" in the circuit being between those two terminals on the solenoid (at least until there is voltage applied to the solenoid coil - usually from the starter switch). Connect them contacts one way or another and current (wee little electrons) can then flow from the negative terminal of the battery, through the chassis to the negative or ground side of the starter motor, through its motor windings to its positive terminal, and then through the solenoid contacts back to the positive terminal of the battery. (Note, this describes the more widely accepted "electron flow theory" as opposed to the out dated "conventional current flow theory", that has electricity flowing from battery positive to negative - confusing, I know).

In any case, connect battery positive or a wire connected to it, directly to chassis ground and you will get arcs and sparks, blown fuses or welding - - don't do it. Connect those two solenoid terminals (also sometimes called a contactor or relay) together and the starter motor turns - - if she's in gear things get dicey.

No electrons were harmed writing this post. This post contains no viruses, bugs, or misinformation, grammatical errors, maybe, but my hearts in the right place. May the electromotive force (EMF to you neophytes) be with you,

PS, If you don't really know how something works, it's usually safe to conclude it works by PFM (pure, xxxxing, magic).

bumper

My credentials? 8 years as a Navy electronics technician (63 to 70), founded and still own an electronics related company (kids run it now), licensed electrician, played with this stuff all my life. Disclaimer, none of this means I'm right . . . but I sure think I am.

Your correct there is typically no starter fuse, it was a simplified explanation.

 

[skyhook]

Your correct there is typically no starter fuse, it was a simplified explanation.

Thats right, but in this case, the solenoid became the fuse, it "fused" itself close.

bumperm is correct, at least we learned something about this "dam" starter.

Hey Gary, have you been able to get back on her yet,, and give it a good talking too.
I know I would, and if she gives you any of that attitude, get rid of her.

 

[Coyote machine]

Kiotis have a 60amp fuse in the starter circuit, as one example. Sorry to say, the solenoid did not become a fuse, and it didn't fuse itself closed either.:confused2: What bumperm said is the wrench completed the circuit to/through the starter, and because it was in gear it moved the tractor. End of story. Fini, complete, final, END.

 

[GolfAddict]

Kiotis have a 60amp fuse in the starter circuit, as one example. Sorry to say, the solenoid did not become a fuse, and it didn't fuse itself closed either.:confused2: What bumperm said is the wrench completed the circuit to/through the starter, and because it was in gear it moved the tractor. End of story. Fini, complete, final, END.

Well good! Now we can finally get to addressing him trying to start and run that tractor INDOORS!! :shocked:

(jk)

 

[skyhook]

and it didn't fuse itself closed either.:confused2:

Yes it did. So there.

 

[Big Barn]

. Hey Gary, have you been able to get back on her yet,, and give it a good talking too. I know I would, and if she gives you any of that attitude, get rid of her.

You're talking about the tractor, right...........?

Gary, I hope you're improving. Terry

 

[skyhook]

You're talking about the tractor, right...........?

Gary, I hope you're improving. Terry

LOL....maybe,,

 

[Garycw]

Whatever it was I just Don't want to do it again. I'm getting around better now every other day, and sore & tired the days in between. Trying not to over do it, but I am pushing it a bit. I've since put the two tractors and equipment I own there up for sale. The future of the farm is still up in the air, but doesn't look good. Such a shame after 4 years of hard work and construction/ remodel stress. Everything is basically done now and was time to enjoy a bit.
I have another dr apt on nov 20th, but if I'm feeling good I can't see going back. I'll probably skip it if all is well.
Be safe out there, don't take chances & shortcuts. And never let your woman forget how much you love her. You really don't know what you've got till its gone.

 

[skyhook]

I'm very happy to hear your doing well, Gary,
and sad in another way, Your absolutely right, we do, at times take things for granted,
I've seen a few broken hearts in my life time, not a pretty thing.
But I can assure you that in time, this will also heal, remember, your only 60 and still have allot
of spunk left in ya,
And plenty of friends here on this site. You take care, my friend.

 

[dragoneggs]

Jeez... been following along since the beginning and trying to wade through all the testosterone. Gary, glad to hear you are getting better. Definitely not an amusing but indeed an enlightening circumstance, and sorry the fiancé' piling on part as I am sure you could have used her support. The back and forth bather by 'experts' has been painfully entertaining in a sophomoric way. I just don't understand why people attack other people personally when they disagree, rather than just debate/argue the subject matter at hand. :confused3:

Again... Gary, wishing you continued speedy recovery. As your title says... do consider yourself lucky and smile that you are here today! Probably much easier said than done. But, we all know enough unlucky ones who left us before they deserved to go.

 

[k0ua]

Gary, I am wishing for your continued recovery. May it be rapid, and this whole thing to soon be just a memory.

 

[JamesHW]

Finally read through the entire thread and wanted to add my best wishes to Gary for his continued recovery.

A major injury like this can be life changing and it is amazing what modern medicine can do these days. Not too many years ago a survivor of such an injury would have had to use a cane for the rest of their life if not a wheelchair.

 

[JamesHW]

Finally read through the entire thread and wanted to add my best wishes to Gary for his continued recovery.

A major injury like this can be life changing and it is amazing what modern medicine can do these days. Not too many years ago a survivor of such an injury would have had to use a cane for the rest of their life if not a wheelchair.

 

[Garycw]

Just an update, all going well. I still have some difficulty getting in & out of vehicle. Have to keep my knees together. Inside of leg numb that had hip replacement and some knee problems that weren't there before. Hopefully those things will continue to get better too. It's amazing how surgen's can put you back together.
I've since been under the same tractor twice and now have repaired. Believe me when I say I took every precaution for this not to happen again. Be Safe!!
Happy New Year !!!

 

[Garycw]

Just an update, all going well. I still have some difficulty getting in & out of vehicle. Have to keep my knees together. Inside of leg numb that had hip replacement and some knee problems that weren't there before. Hopefully those things will continue to get better too. It's amazing how surgen's can put you back together.
I've since been under the same tractor twice and now have repaired. Believe me when I say I took every precaution for this not to happen again. Be Safe!!
Happy New Year !!!

 

[yelbike]

Great to hear Gary. Best of wishes in the new year!

 

[skyhook]

Nice to hear from you again, Gary,,I thought you would have sold that tractor by now.
All the best for you in this New Year.:thumbsup:

 

[Garycw]

Thanks for the well wishes and a great new year for all.
I did put tractor up for sale and had several responses wanting it. However it was 4 hours away and I was not as well healed as now. I also wanted to fix the clutch safety switch before selling. I decided to just take listing down till spring & apologized to the callers. I'll decide what to do with it in spring. I did learn a little about Deisel being the first I've owned. Expensive, painfull lesson though. The next thing I could see happening is a roll over being so tall and narrow. There's almost no flat ground at the farm. Even with the ROPS & seatbelt I dont want to try them out.