Starter Question

I have an intermittent starter on our Westerbeke 71C. I started googling for a local business to rebuild it, then I looked at buying a NEW starter. OMG. I found an "official" Westerbeke starter WB-038384 listed at $672 but found other supplies, such as EMS Global, selling the 71C compatible starter for about $100. Can anyone here speak to this with authority? Thanks!Michael Duvall

Try RiteWay Electric in San Francisco. They did a great job on my alternator and are reasonably priced. Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in San Francisco CA | Rite-Way Electric http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/ http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/ Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in Sa... http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/ If you need a new alternator, starter or generator, call Rite-Way Electric of San Francisco today! We also provide expert repair services! Click for info! View on www.rite-wayelectri... http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/ Preview by Yahoo Jeff Thayer S/V Ecco Cal 39 MK2 San Francisco, Ca

Have you looked into getting yours rebuilt? I have had a friend get his rebuilt from a starter/alternator rebuilt (industrial) for less than new cost. I am sure Joe will mention maintaining "marine" grade replacement. John Raxter 336-210-8073 (m) On Nov 21, 2016, at 1:19 PM, je… [at] comcast.net [Cal_Boats] <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Try RiteWay Electric in San Francisco. They did a great job on my alternator and are reasonably priced. Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in San Francisco CA | Rite-Way Electric Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in Sa... If you need a new alternator, starter or generator, call Rite-Way Electric of San Francisco today! We also provide expert repair services! Click for info! View on www.rite-wayelectri... Preview by Yahoo Jeff Thayer S/V Ecco Cal 39 MK2 San Francisco, Ca

John, Yes, I will continue to look into a rebuild, but as you may know Westerbeke does not provide much information on their products. From my research, it appears the our 71C is a marinized four cylinder Mitsubishi block. I am quite confident that the starter is nothing more than a stock starter painted red. What I would really like to know is what is the difference between a "standard" and "ignition protected" starter. I'm not even sure the starter we currently have is "ignition protected". Thanks for your reply. Michael DuvallPompano Beach, FL From: "Jraxter jr… [at] triad.rr.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com; je… [at] comcast.net Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:28 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: Starter Question Have you looked into getting yours rebuilt? I have had a friend get his rebuilt from a starter/alternator rebuilt (industrial) for less than new cost. I am sure Joe will mention maintaining "marine" grade replacement. John Raxter336-210-8073 (m) On Nov 21, 2016, at 1:19 PM, je… [at] comcast.net [Cal_Boats] <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Try RiteWay Electric in San Francisco. They did a great job on my alternator and are reasonably priced. Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in San Francisco CA | Rite-Way Electric | | | | | | Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in Sa... If you need a new alternator, starter or generator, call Rite-Way Electric of San Francisco today! We also provide expert repair services! Click for info! | | | View on www.rite-wayelectri... | Preview by Yahoo | | | Jeff Thayer S/V Ecco Cal 39 MK2 San Francisco, Ca -- {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;} hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;} {margin-bottom:10px;} .yiv6718140152ad {padding:0 0;} .yiv6718140152ad p {margin:0;} .yiv6718140152ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;} {font-family:Arial;} {margin:10px 0px;font-weight:700;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;} .yiv6718140152ad {margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 0;} {font-family:Verdana;font-size:11px;padding:10px 0;} {background-color:#e0ecee;float:left;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10px;padding:10px;} span {font-weight:700;} span:first-child {text-transform:uppercase;} span a {color:#5085b6;text-decoration:none;} span span {color:#ff7900;} span .yiv6718140152underline {text-decoration:underline;} .yiv6718140152attach {clear:both;display:table;font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;padding:10px 0;width:400px;} .yiv6718140152attach div a {text-decoration:none;} .yiv6718140152attach img {border:none;padding-right:5px;} .yiv6718140152attach label {display:block;margin-bottom:5px;} .yiv6718140152attach label a {text-decoration:none;} blockquote {margin:0 0 0 4px;} .yiv6718140152bold {font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;} .yiv6718140152bold a {text-decoration:none;} dd.yiv6718140152last p a {font-family:Verdana;font-weight:700;} dd.yiv6718140152last p span {margin-right:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:700;} dd.yiv6718140152last p span.yiv6718140152yshortcuts {margin-right:0;} div.yiv6718140152attach-table div div a {text-decoration:none;} div.yiv6718140152attach-table {width:400px;} div.yiv6718140152file-title a, div.yiv6718140152file-title a:active, div.yiv6718140152file-title a:hover, div.yiv6718140152file-title a:visited {text-decoration:none;} div.yiv6718140152photo-title a, div.yiv6718140152photo-title a:active, div.yiv6718140152photo-title a:hover, div.yiv6718140152photo-title a:visited {text-decoration:none;} div p a span.yiv6718140152yshortcuts {font-family:Verdana;font-size:10px;font-weight:normal;} .yiv6718140152green {color:#628c2a;} .yiv6718140152MsoNormal {margin:0 0 0 0;} o {font-size:0;} div {float:left;width:72px;} div div {border:1px solid #666666;height:62px;overflow:hidden;width:62px;} div label {color:#666666;font-size:10px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center;white-space:nowrap;width:64px;} {font-size:77%;} {font-size:77%;} .yiv6718140152replbq {margin:4px;} div a:first-child {margin-right:2px;padding-right:5px;} {font-size:13px;font-family:Arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;} table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;} select, input, textarea {font:99% Arial, Helvetica, clean, sans-serif;} pre, code {font:115% monospace;} * {line-height:1.22em;} {padding-bottom:10px;} p a {font-family:Verdana;} p span {color:#1E66AE;font-weight:700;} {color:#ff7900;font-weight:700;} {margin-bottom:20px;padding:0px;} li a {font-size:130%;text-decoration:none;} li {font-size:77%;list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;} ul {margin:0;padding:0 0 0 8px;} {font-family:Georgia;} p {margin:0 0 1em 0;} tt {font-size:120%;} ul li:last-child {border-right:none !important;}

Hi Michael, Some thoughts on starters. There are generally three areas where intermittent starting problems are seen 1. Starter button. These and fail in odd ways. Mine is a bit fiddley right now. You can check by having someone watch a voltmeter attached to the starter solenoid switch terminal. 2. The solenoid itself (depending on starter style). If the winding of the solenoid is failing you can get intermittent starting. Usually with no sound from the solenoid. Also a common problem is the contacts inside the solenoid, These carry the large starting current when the solenoid pulls in. Usually you will hear the solenoid click but the starter won’t turn. Replacing a solenoid is pretty easy and inexpensive. 3. Starter bushes failing or sticking. These carry current from the battery to the windings of the starter motor. Made of carbon they wear as a normal part of operation. Again, replacement is pretty cheap and not too difficult. If the commutator (contacts on the starter rotating part) are badly worn it should be turned. Not a hard job for a rebuilder. An ignition protected starter is largely distinguished by screen mesh over any openings to prevent flame propagation out of the starter. Usually there are openings in the shell toward the rear of the starter. There used to be lots of starter / generator rebuilders and I always found them to be pretty good. Not many around any more, but look in the larger towwns. Anyway, hope this is some help. Ted Wrobel Cal 33-2 Celebration Newport, RI From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:45 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com; Jraxter Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: Starter Question John, Yes, I will continue to look into a rebuild, but as you may know Westerbeke does not provide much information on their products. From my research, it appears the our 71C is a marinized four cylinder Mitsubishi block. I am quite confident that the starter is nothing more than a stock starter painted red. What I would really like to know is what is the difference between a "standard" and "ignition protected" starter. I'm not even sure the starter we currently have is "ignition protected". Thanks for your reply. Michael Duvall Pompano Beach, FL _____ From: "Jraxter jr… [at] triad.rr.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com; je… [at] comcast.net Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:28 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: Starter Question Have you looked into getting yours rebuilt? I have had a friend get his rebuilt from a starter/alternator rebuilt (industrial) for less than new cost. I am sure Joe will mention maintaining "marine" grade replacement. John Raxter 336-210-8073 (m) On Nov 21, 2016, at 1:19 PM, je… [at] comcast.net [Cal_Boats] <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Try RiteWay Electric in San Francisco. They did a great job on my alternator and are reasonably priced. Starters <http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/> & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in San Francisco CA | Rite-Way Electric <http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/> image <http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/> Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in Sa... If you need a new alternator, starter or generator, call Rite-Way Electric of San Francisco today! We also provide expert repair services! Click for info! <http://www.rite-wayelectric.com/> View on www.rite-wayelectri... Preview by Yahoo Jeff Thayer S/V Ecco Cal 39 MK2 San Francisco, Ca No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2016.0.7859 / Virus Database: 4664/13449 - Release Date: 11/21/16

Hello Ted, Thank you for your advice. With the ignition key on, pressing the starter button will cause one of two things to happen: 1) nothing but a click from below, or 2) the starter engages and the engine starts. In case of 1, repeatedly depressing the starter button will result in the same situation. Up till now, I have always (eventually) started the engine after no more than five or six attempts. I just want to do something before I end up having to be towed back to the dock.