Custom/Hybrid Learn from my mistake

just joe

Site Supporter
Location
NorCal
"Hi-torque" starter cost me a small fortune, I wouldn't recommend these. Probably been said a few times before in here.

I had a brand new Aqua Torque starter in my ski simply because I had it as a spare and decided to use it instead of buying an OEM.

Fell, ski died, went to start it and got just a single click from the relay. Tried 5-6 times since I was a couple hundred yards out, but nothing. Swam It in.

Found out that the starter, all of ~8 tanks young, was seized. No corrosion anywhere and I ride only fresh water. In the process of trying to start it while shorted/locked up, I fried by 16cell AG battery.

Thought I share to save someone else. These starters are bad - or I happened to get a bad one without any way of knowing. And hitting the start button a few times with a bad starter is not a good idea either.

Joe


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just joe

Site Supporter
Location
NorCal
A few pics of the carnage:
aab2e1895ad51a365600bfa40a430475.jpg


c187714d3ed55acac34085e20b845112.jpg



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Mike W

Infidel
Location
North Florida
Exactly why I stick with OEM. It looks like the magnets broke due to due to being dropped or being hit on the outside case with a blunt object. Or was it just a catastrophic failure?
 

smoofers

Rockin' the SQUARE!!!!
Site Supporter
Location
Granbury, TX
I had an SBT starter in my HX for like 2 years. One day we went on a 10 mile trip up the river. When it was time to go home, went to start the ski and all you could hear was a whir like the bendix wasn't engaging. Turns out the starter shaft sheared off just past the bearing... I replaced it with a used OEM that's still going strong.

What's funny though is I have a $35 DB electrical starter in my superjet that is 5 years old with hundreds of starts on it that refuses to die! I bought it when I was in a pinch 5 years ago and know it's a ticking time bomb, but it just keeps on trucking. I guess it's the luck of the draw.
 
Location
denmark
Remember too use 1211 on the starter where it goes through the cases, i also used 1211 on the battery terminal and the starter rubber seals.
 

just joe

Site Supporter
Location
NorCal
Remember too use 1211 on the starter where it goes through the cases, i also used 1211 on the battery terminal and the starter rubber seals.

I'm torn on this. Did it once a long time ago and made in-Situ starter replacement very difficult trying to clean out the 1211.

On my Dasa in My fX-1 I just used some grease on the o-ring, no sealant, and it remained water tight.

Joe




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CD155MX

Squirrel!!!
Location
Alta Loma, CA
I'm torn on this. Did it once a long time ago and made in-Situ starter replacement very difficult trying to clean out the 1211.

On my Dasa in My fX-1 I just used some grease on the o-ring, no sealant, and it remained water tight.

Joe
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I second Joe's dilemma. 1211 works great until you need to replace something. Cleaning it all off/out is kind of a pain. I've started using the super thick Oring grease you find at pool supply stores. It's treated me well so far.
 
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Fwiw there are a ton of mitsuba starters out there that simply.need the back swapped to fit these skis. A couple vendors do this, paint them, and call them rebuilt and sell them. You can find a double o ring starter that has never seen water, own mitsuba, for less than 50 dollars to your door. Always. Every single time you need one. On eBay. Not sure how these guys get people to pay 150 or 200 for a "refurbisbed" starter. Some people can sell ice to Eskimos.

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