Contactor Experts A motor starter is a device that can be electric, hydraulic or pneumatic in nature. Its main role is to regulate the flow of current so the engine can start or stop properly.
The History of The Starter In the past, people tried many things and apparatus just to start prehistoric engines of vehicles. Some of these methods included using gun powder cylinders and springs that wound up. Human methods were also used such as crank handles, pulling on propellers of airplanes and pulling on cords attached to pulleys.
As stated, hand cranks were popular back in the day. These things help start most engines back in the day. However, people later found out that cranks were difficult to pull. Sometimes, it placed users in danger especially those who are inexperienced with hand cranks. An engine does not always have predictable behavior when it is being started. Some individuals were injured because of crank engines. The injury was due to the engine’s sudden reversal movement which caused the cranks to kick. Other motors were equipped with slips. This allowed the starter to be released from the engine once it was started. However, the motor starter would not be released if the engine failed to start. It would remain latched into the engine. The shaking and jerking had the potential to cause injuries to the operator of the vehicle. mag-trol.com
The Different Types Of Starters
At present, engines use modern day motor starters. These are the electric starter and the gear reduction starter. The electric starter is the most commonly used starter in vehicles that burn gasoline, but they are also found in smaller vehicles that use diesel. Motor starters today consist of magnetic or electrical motor current that is equipped with a relay or solenoid. A current passes from the battery in the vehicle to the solenoid that pushes out the pinion. The pinion combines with the ring gear. This powers the engine.
Problems may occur when the person does not release the key soon. Also, when there is shortage in power, the solenoid will not be able to disengage.When one of these scenarios occur, the pinion will spin alone and not with the drive shaft. To avoid worsening the problem, drivers should not attempt to start the vehicle right away. Drivers should wait for a few seconds before restarting the engine.
The Chrysler Corporation is the one that made further advancements to motor starters. In 1960, Chrysler introduced the geartrain in the market. The geartrain is fitted between the drive shaft and the engine of the vehicle. Even though other manufacturers had produced starters with similar concepts before the 1960s, Chrysler was the first auto maker to create volumes of the unit.
Without a motor starter, a vehicle would not be able to travel far. It is an essential part of a vehicle that is instrumental in correct functioning and operation of the vehicle.