| Author |
Message |
    
Russian Landy
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 03:13 am: | 
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After a few weeks of -22 degrees (Centigrade) weather, and frustration with hard starting of my Diesel Disco ('98 300i TDi), I am starting to think about 24 volts. The 12 volt system just doesn't have enough torque to crank the big diesel over smartly in this weather, even when the brand new battery is fully charged.
There is a beautiful place to mount a second alternator -- the spot for the air conditioning compressor, which I don't have. Anybody know whether it is possible to adapt a 24 volt starter and alternator to the Disco-pig?
I would just have one 24 volt completely separate charging system (alternator and battery) for the starter, and leave the stock system for the rest of the electrics.
Stupid idea? |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 03:19 am: |
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Quit yer bitchin', at least you have a big diesel engine to worry about getting cranked.  |
Russian Landy
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 09:37 am: |
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Ha, well, ain't no good at all when it's -22 and not running. |
Alex Moore (Alexmoore)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 03:25 pm: |
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Why not just connect a 2nd battery in parallel and your done. No other changes necessary. All you need is the extra CCA for the starter. |
Rich Lee
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 10:18 pm: |
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Strasvuyete Russian Landy
(greetings)
-22 C and no start, kag zhal
(gee, that's too bad)
(sorry, Dweb doesn't support cryllic characters and my Russian is to poor/unused anyway).
Before I would go to a 24volt system, I would:
1. Use all synthetic lubes (can you get these in Russia?) Judging from your collection of vehicles, and career, I imagine you can get "anything" in Russia with the right currency and connections.
2.Follow Alex's suggestion of a second battery in parallel, using BIG primary and ground cables (like 3-0 welding cable). You might start by being sure your current cables have corrosion-free contacts.
3. Get warmers for the engine block and battery. Many Siberian truck drivers simply burn pans of oil-soaked rags or coal beneath their engine bay before startup (sounds like miserable / risky business if you ask me).
4. Is your fuel grade correct for that temperature? Many places sell colder grades of diesel in winter that won't turn to wax in the fuel system.
5. I'm sure Muskyman and the Canadians on this site can offer even better advice.
Vuyd Zdarov
(good health)
Rich |
muskyman
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 12:05 am: |
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well rich you covered pretty much all the basics
a simple thing you can do to add to those mentioned above is mix 50/50 diesel with kerosene.
it will keep the fuel liquid down to -60c.
thom |
Russian Landy
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 01:52 am: |
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Ha, ha! Rich, you know a lot about Russia! Not just in Siberia but right here in cosmopolitan Moscow you can see truck drivers with campfires under their oil pans. Unbelievable!
Thanks everyone for all the advice. Yes, I have all synthetic lubes, and no problem with the fuel (British Petroleum Arctic Diesel, and the fuel filter is heated from the factory). I have an Eberspaecher (Espar) engine heater. Just need more cold cranking amps!
The second battery in parallel has two disadvantages: the two batteries have to be identical in size, age, condition, type, etc.; and if the engine heater or some other accessory draws down the batteries, it draws them both down, and I won't be able to start. So if everybody thinks the second alternator is stupid, then maybe a second battery with a splitter like a Hellroarer, and run the heater and stuff off that, and jump the two batteries together if I can't crank. What abou that? |
muskyman
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 02:18 am: |
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russian landy,
the batteries only need to be the same if you plan on having them both connected all the time.
if you have them switched you only connect them when you need them. I have also seen guys use a seperate batterie just to power the glow plugs and 2 others to crank it over.
thom |
Russian Landy
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 08:48 am: |
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Hi Thom:
Thanks, that is just what I had in mind -- setting up a second battery run off a splitter (Hellroarer) to power the engine heater. Maybe even the glow plugs? That's an interesting idea. |
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