Starter Zero Current Test Apparatus and Method

• US 20090249868A1
• Filed: 05/11/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott, Xia, Weixing
• Granted Patent: US 8,310,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/114.590
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation

Abstract

An alternator and starter tester system having a starter current zero test. The current is measured before and after a solenoid of a starter motor is energized and deenergized to determine if the starter motor should be failed. This allows the operator to quickly determine if the starter motor is stuck on during normal starter motor testing.

Claims

1-7. -7. (canceled)

8. A method of testing a starter motor, comprising:

closing a first switch so that current can flow to a transformer which supplies current to the starter motor;

measuring current with a current meter before a solenoid of the starter motor is energized; and

failing the starter motor if current is detected above a predetermined level.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

closing a second switch to energize the solenoid of the starter motor;

recording test measurements of the starter motor;

deenergizing the solenoid; and

measuring current with the current meter after the solenoid is deenergized to determine if the current is above the predetermined level.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising passing or failing the starter motor based on the recorded test measurements.

11. The claim 8, wherein the predetermined level is about 40 amps.

12. The claim 9, wherein the predetermined level is about 40 amps.

13-20. -20. (canceled)