When Starters Go Poof!

This short crash and burn tale is a little overdue, something I suppressed, but after thinking about it, some folks might find some humor in my pain and stupidity.

We begin with our unfortunate PyratSailor, RumHead positioned on the sole of Mariola, on his knees – Yanmar diesel completely exposed, ready for it’s new starter and alternator. Like many things in the life of RumHead, this install is going to be a little rushed because somewhere not far away, there are websites to be designed, cartoons to be drawn, and litter boxes to be scooped. But Rumhead has his priorities.

I’m there on my knees, checking over the diesel, holding the starter in my right hand. It’s a little slippery, I’ve just hosed it and the engine down with my two dollar, WalMart silicone spray. Going to make sure this brand new sucker won’t corrode away. I run through the mental checklist, nuts to fasten it on, wrench in left hand, starter in right,  it all looks good – let’s do this.

An Actual Recreation

I lean in, extending the starter towards it’s home…ZAP! POP! SHIT! I know that sound – I left the damn battery switch on! Of course I instinctively withdraw at the familiar sound of  major wires crossing. Usually when this happens (oh yeah, frequently), there’s just a wiff of burning electronics – but when I look to my right, the starter in my hand is dancing with eerie blue flames….and, that would be the alcohol in the un-dried silicone spray. It’s like a movie, I gaze at my blazing starter (that I’m still holding) then, with Sling-Blade like comprehension, I turn back to stare at the engine.  The port side of which looks like some burning hillside in California – little brush fires in four or five different places dancing around, all a pretty cyan blue.

I’ve had a few great adrenalin rushes in my life, but I think this one takes top honors. The entire time I was blowing like hell on the flames, nearly hyperventilating, ready to pass out - I pictured the St. Pete Times headline: One Less Sailboat and  Sailor In World, Powerboaters Rejoice. After something like a half an hour (really about 30 seconds), the alcohol burns off and everything is back to “normal”. The starter is lying there on the cabin sole covered in water droplets because pre-flaming, it had been in the cold car overnight. “That probably voided the warranty.” I thought while inspecting it, looking for signs of melting or stupidity – none.

CLICK the battery gets switched off. It was on, because after I removed the starter and alternator a few days before, I switched it back to “1″. The auto-bilge pump will not work in the off position. I’ve been meaning to do some rewiring so that the auto-bilge will be on full time. Capt. Procrastinator triumphs again! Of course now I feel like Capt. Safety as I dig my fire extinguisher out of the starboard locker, preparing for my next attempt. This time, there’s no flames or singed arm hair.  A couple shots of rum help to kill the time while I wait for the silicone spray to dry – the starter makes it home and Mariola lives to sail again.