CARE OF THE STARTER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 338, 27 September 1932, Page 2

CARE OF THE STARTER

Sluggish action of the starting motor is not necessarily a sign that the expensive battery needs renewal. Thoss with some knowledge of electrical theory will realise that a sixvolt starting system must be free from resistance caused by poor contacts if the necessary starting current of more than 100 amperes is to fiow through the motor. Battery contacts often suffer, owing to the creeping action of the acid, and it may be necessary to fit new terminals on the cables, which is quite a cheap job. The terminal posts of the battery should be scraped bright and coated with heavy oil, while the cable terminals are smothered with vaseline before replacing. After the car has had a couple of years of use, the frame terminal should be removed, and both the terminal and the portion of the frame against which it is bolted should be polished with emery eloth and slightly smeared with vaseline before replacing. Tighten up all switch and motor terminals. Inspect the commutator of the starting motor, reached by removing the thin metal band clamped around it. If oily, clean it with petrol. If the commutator appears to be burnt or pitted, especially if the burning it patchy, it should be overhauled by an expert.