« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Current draw  (Read 5371 times)

January 24, 2010, 06:14:38 pm

stewardc

  • Guest
Current draw
« on: January 24, 2010, 06:14:38 pm »
What does a diesel starter draw on a cold morning (how many amps)?
Logged
Reply #1January 24, 2010, 06:27:03 pm

Vincent Waldon

  • Global Moderator
  • Veteran
  • Offline
  • ***
  • 3255
    • My collection of HOWTOs
Re: Current draw
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2010, 06:27:03 pm »
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).
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 09:24:19 am by Vincent Waldon »
Logged
Vince

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2001 silver TDI Jetta Malone Stage 1.5 , 2001 blue TDI Jetta SBIII 216s Malone Stage 3, 1970 Bay Window bus

Gone but not forgotten: 1969/1971 Beetles, 1969/1974 Westies, 1979 Rabbit, 1986 TD Jetta, 1992 gas Jetta, 1994 TD Jetta
Reply #2January 25, 2010, 03:45:22 am

stewardc

  • Guest
Re: Current draw
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2010, 03:45:22 am »
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.
Logged
Reply #3January 25, 2010, 09:12:51 am

Rabbit on Roids

  • Guest
Re: Current draw
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2010, 09:12:51 am »
1/0 should get you by just fine.
Logged
Reply #4January 25, 2010, 11:01:24 am

dyoungen

  • Junior
  • Offline
  • **
  • 128
Re: Current draw
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2010, 11:01:24 am »
I'm using 1/0 on my F250 Diesel 6.9. Just replaced all of the positive cables about a month ago.
Logged
Reply #5January 25, 2010, 11:33:55 am

Rabbit on Roids

  • Guest
Re: Current draw
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2010, 11:33:55 am »
Quote from: dyoungen on January 25, 2010, 11:01:24 am
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.
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »