WORKSHOP MANUAL
MPV 320W / 520W
Chapter
7 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EDITION
2017
PAGE
50 /
64
7.1.3 Equipment
There are some specialised tools and test equipment that are needed for electrical repair work. A
brief description of these follows.
• Needle-nose or long pliers.
Used to connect or bend wires and connectors in tight positions.
• Diagonal cutters.
Used to cut wires or trim connections.
• Wire stripper / crimping tool.
Available separately or as a combined tool. Used to strip insula-
tion from wires of various sizes, crimp terminals and connector or wires.
•
Soldering iron and soldering gun. Used to weld all joints and connections to terminals, connec-
tors, etc. A soldering gun is faster and more convenient than a soldering iron, which must heat
up first.
• Multimeter - analog or digital.
To measure voltage, amperage and ohms.
• Tachometer
.
Used to measure engine speed. Required to properly test alternator and charging
circuits where output is dependent upon engine speed.
• Heat gun.
Used to hot shrink insulated tubing in place. Used to replace electrical tape or insu-
lated sleeving. To use, place a piece of shrink tubing over a wire joint, heat with the heat gun,
until it shrinks slightly around the joint.
• Consumable materials
Electrical tape, resin core solder (never use acid or acid core solder on
electrical joints), an assortment of various sized terminals, connectors, insulated or heat shrink
tubing (for use on joints and connections), and an assortment of automotive type wire (in several
colours).
IMPORTANT
STIGA highly recommends that all interventions be performed in a professional
manner. The use of the tubing to cover joints and the soldering of connections contribute to a pro-
fessional looking job. In addition to a pleasing appearance, repairs made in this manner are more
likely to withstand vibration. (The weakest points in an electrical system are the joints where wires
are attached.)
IMPORTANT
Replace all faulty components with STIGA replacement parts only. Engine parts,
such as rectifiers or alternator components should be repaired by the nearest engine service
center. STIGA does not recommend attempting to repair electrical components. Most do not lend
themselves to repair and you would have more money invested in “time of repair” than the part
would cost and the results may not be as good.
7.1.4 Electrical measure gauges
In many electrical circuits, there is some visible effect which indicates that the circuit is functioning
properly. A switch is turned “ON” and a lamp lights up. A key is turned, a starter motor runs and
cranks the engine. If the lamp does not light up, or the starter motor does not run, some means of
measuring voltage, current flow, resistance and continuity is needed, (continuity means there is a
complete electrical path through the circuit or component.)
To know exactly what conditions exist in an electrical circuit requires AC and DC Voltmeter, AC
and DC Ammeter, and an Ohmmeter.
Combination meters that do all of these things are available and called a Multimeter or Volt Ohm-
multitester (VOM).
