DK2Power OPC566E Electric Starter

[jjrowan]

I bought a new OPC566E in March 2022 so it's 3 year warranty just expired. Started up with electric starter, used it for an hour, shut off to move to next location to chip, turn key and just strange noise from starter. Use pull cord and starts right up. Put it away. Put meter on battery and connections, 13 volts from battery. Turned key and started. I thought something may be over heated. A few days later, started with key, chipped for 30 minutes, turned off to move, tried starting and nothing. I don't know if it's the starter or the key switch.

 

[flyerdan]

Shoot a little WD in the key switch, most dirty switches are more off than on, but it won't hurt. Check the battery terminals for corrosion between them and the posts, also check where the ground cable connects to the frame.
If the starter has an onboard solenoid, it could be crudded up with sooty residue of everything else tests ok. If it isn't a rolled assembly at the bakelite end, it can be taken apart and cleaned.

 

[jjrowan]

Battery terminals are clean. Unit is stored inside year round and on battery tender, but I'll check those tomorrow and shoot some WD in the switch. it has onboard solenoid, it's clean. Picture doesn't show whole solenoid.

 

[jjrowan]

Tried WD inside switch, didn't help. Meter on battery shows 13 volts. I have a 12 volt jump pack. Grounded one side, put power to opposite side of relay and starter cranked. Connected jump pack to battery, turned key and started cranked starting chipper. Took leads off battery, no corrosion on battery terminals or connections. Reconnected leads, turned key, nothing. Attached jump pack to battery, turned key and starts right up. I don't have a way of testing cold cranking amps (CCA) coming out of battery. I'm thinking that the battery just doesn't have sufficient CCA to get it done.

 

[flyerdan]

Sounds like the battery. Clip the test leads to the battery, with the machine off it will read 13v. Turn to start and watch the drop, if it immediately drops to 9v or less that's a good indication it's shot.