Starter Motor Conversion - Kibble

[thebarleymow]

I sent this query to the info e-mail and was advised to pose the question to Kibble so here goes :-

I have downloaded the instructions for the conversion of a car starter motor for use in a go kart and just wanted to ask the following :-

Is it not possible to produce forward and reverse by simply having the ability to reverse the polarity of the power supply from the car battery rather that selecting and re-selecting the various coils and earth points on the motor. In other words - select either forward or reverse as per your instructions and then introduce a polarity switch?

[kibble]

Nope, because of the way the starter armature and its field coils are wired. There are no permanent magnets inside. If just reversing the polarity was the case, it would make it really easy to use a starter for anything.

I thought the same thing with the first starter I played with. That's how I figured out that I had to rewire it for it to work in both directions.

Wait, let me make sure I understand, are you talking about a modified starter, or a non-modified starter?

[MDMike]

Im not sure exactly how you planned on using the starter but also remember the the Starter drive will only engage in the direction that it was intended to turn.

[kibble]

Im not sure exactly how you planned on using the starter but also remember the the Starter drive will only engage in the direction that it was intended to turn.

Yes, unless you weld it or something.