What does a diesel starter draw on a cold morning (how many amps)?
There's a lot of variables at play actually: actual cold compression, weight and type of oil, age of starter, health of starter bushing, health of grounds.... but the general range is 300-400 amps peak. I've read folks report as much as 500 amps (broken-in engine with nice high compression, really really cold Arctic morning, etc).
Wow, I had understood that 150 amps was about the highest. It looks like I'll have to resize my "shopping list" for my battery relocate. I'd planned on #2 wire, but that's definitely too small. Looks like 00 is about right.
1/0 should get you by just fine.
I'm using 1/0 on my F250 Diesel 6.9. Just replaced all of the positive cables about a month ago.
I'm using 1/0 on my F250 Diesel 6.9. Just replaced all of the positive cables about a month ago.
there we go, if 1/0 can spin a 6.9/7.3, then it should be able to carry enough current for 4 vw diesel starters.