Need help with electrical.

[mkroher]

I bought a used spreader unit. I got the motor running on it's own. Now I want to wire it up so I can use the electric start. It's currently wired according to the picture attached. No dice. The switch, solenoid, are both brand new. The acronyms on the switch are accurate. I assumed "ST" meant "starter"? *shrug* Any experts please lend your expertise. Oh.. yes i know..the artistry is astounding. No autographs please.

http://nikka.cheb.com.au/image.jpg


Shoot.. I actually have the "ST" terminal grounded with along with the NEG battery. Darn it.

[Leaf Jockey]

The ST wire needs to go to the small terminal you have the ignition wire on. I don't see where you say you have the st wire grounded. Also, the way its wired it should crank in the "on" position unless the Ignition terminal on the switch is a ground circuit.

Scott

[mkroher]

I have the ST wire grounded. I drew the picture wrong. So if the ST wire goes to the small terminal on the solenoid, then where does the IGN wire go to?

[Leaf Jockey]

Turn the key on. If the ignition wire has voltage then it goes to an ignition coil. If the Ignition terminal is only grounded with the key on then it goes to the kill wire of the engine. Use an ohm meter to check for the ground. Different engine types require differnt switches.

Scott

[mkroher]

This the current setup.

http://nikka.cheb.com.au/image1.jpg

[mkroher]

Turn the key on. If the ignition wire has voltage then it goes to an ignition coil. If the Ignition terminal is only grounded with the key on then it goes to the kill wire of the engine. Use an ohm meter to check for the ground. Different engine types require differnt switches.

Scott

There is no coil. The engine runs by itself with no battery.

[Leaf Jockey]

Move that st wire from ground to the small terminal on the solenoid. Unhook the ignition wire. The base of the solenoid may need to be grounded. The engine should now crank. The exception would be if this is a solenoid that was designed for a saftey switch system. If so then the small terminal needs to be grounded for the power to flow across the two big terminals.
Does the engine have a key or switch? Does it just die when you idle down?

Scott

[mkroher]

Scott, thanks for your help. :)

The ST terminal protrudes farther out from the other terminals. To me, that tells me that it's a ground, otherwise it'll arc if it accidentally touches the other terminals on the switch.

Tt's a key switch. I bought it at an auto parts store. It's attached to a metal plate on the machine, so I assume it's grounded.

I choke the engine to shut it down. The engine does have a kill wire, I haven't figured out which wire on the switch is the kill wire.

I just picked this machine up saturday, got the engine running today. The switch that I replaced had an additional terminal on it, just for the kill wire. The reason I replaced the switch...process of elimination to get the electrical system to work on this unit.

[Leaf Jockey]

The switch in the picture doesn't provide a switched ground position. It won't kill your engine. You either need to get a different key switch or a toggle on/off for killing the engine and a push button for cranking.
If I'm following this right, you could put the old switch back in and just add a push button starter button. Connect on side of the push button switch to battery positive and the other to the small terminal of the solenoid...unless its an isolated ground solenoid like I explained before.

Scott

[mkroher]

Scott, your replies are making sense. I'll get a different key switch.

The solenoid is the type you would find used for a plow. That's what was on there. That's what I replaced it with.

[Leaf Jockey]

Many plows used an isolated ground solenoid. Its simple to figure out without frying anything. Wire one big lug to the starter. Wire the other big lug to the battery positive. Touch a grounded wire to the small terminal and see if it cranks. If it does then its an isolated ground solenoid. If it doesn't then its a typical "ford" type solenoid that needs a positive feed.

Scott

[mkroher]

Thanks Scott, I'll try that tomorrow. :)

[Leaf Jockey]

Good luck.

Scott

[bug-guy]

the ign wire goed the bat side of the sel. the st (starter) goes to one of the little post ground the sel directly to grounded metal. a test light will help
when you turn thr key to start you sholg get power to the other large post.
some sel have two small post one s (starter) the other i (ign)
basic shop 101 if you need to look at a electric hose reel wired very sim. just with a push button(usaully no ign wire)

[RigglePLC]

I think Scott is right. Is this a Permagreen? Salt spreader? Modified with a solenoid?

A plain starter button plus a kill switch sounds like a plan.

[mkroher]

It's a GNC ride on spreader. I guess I can have 3 switches.

Kill switch
starter switch
Accessory switch.

It has an electric sprayer pump for herbicides, and electric motor in the hopper, so I need an accessory lead for those.

That's why I wanted a key switch, it has all 3 in one. Just have to find the right one.

[mkroher]

Scott, you were 100% right. The ST is for the starter, and IGN would be used for a coil. I tested the solenoid, it uses a lead for continuity, not a ground.

Turns out I need a new starter. It clicks, but doesn't spin. Got an estimate of $200 for a starter. Ouch. I think I'll pull start the machine for a while.