bench testing a soleniod

[cod 121]

Is it possible to bench test a soleniod?  I was thinking of;

 

1. Clamping the frame tab into a vise.

2. Running a jumper cable from the vise to the negative terminal on a spare battery.

 

and then "tickling" the starter lug with 12v to see if it clicks.

 

For some reason the beast would not start yesterday after running fine on Saturday and working all through the winter with no problems.  Not sure if a soleniod can be fine one day and dead the next but I saw Chuck's thread about rebuilding one and before I tear it apart I'd play with it just to see what happens.

 

Naturally I'd prefer NOT to blow the vise off the bench so any advice would be helpful.

 

Also have any of you tried using di-electic(sp) grease on your wiring connections to keep them from oxidizing?  I've been think about looking for a set of connector files and using them to clean the female connectors as I don't think that scraping them with a small screwdriver work very well.

 

Thanks - Cod

[specialwheelhorse 174]

Just do the Chuck thing and your sure to have a good one !!!

[rmaynard 16,211]

It's easy to test. If your solenoid uses its case for ground, connect a jumper from the case to the (-) post of the battery. Then connect a jumper to the (+) post of the battery and just touch it to the small lug of the solenoid. It should click or snap, closing the connection between the two large lugs. Now that test only determines if the magnetic coil is good, but doesn't determine if the lugs are actually connecting. For that you will need a meter or a test light to see if there is continuity when they close. But don't waste a lot of time or effort trying to repair it. A new one is only about $10.00 at Tractor Supply.

 

Dielectric grease has it's place, but I have never used it on my tractors.

Edited April 14, 2015 by rmaynard

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Dialectric grease is fine to use...especially on dis-simular metals.

[cod 121]

Finally remembered that I had a solenoid to play with out in the garage and after wiring it up using Bob's directions, I was rewarded with a strong "click" everytime I touched the small lug.  Took alittle longer than I thought and it looked like something out of a Boris Karlov movie but at least I've got another rainy day project to fool with.

 

Thanks for the advice!

[WH nut 553]

The best way to test is on the tractor, With everything hooked up just run a jumper from the battery + to the trigger terminal ( small terminal) and with a volt meter make sure you are getting 12v to the started terminal. I have seen relays click but not carry a load.