Jump starting a VERY dead battery- Wait to start?

[DFrank]

Several times while winter camping on old batteries, I've run them down to where a jump start is harldly viable and may take 20+ minutes of the other vehicle idling before getting much of a crank.

I've noticed that the intake grids use so much power that I can waste my little bit of recharge on just the grids, leaving nothing left to crank it over. I know the truck doesn't like repeated hits of ether, but I've taken to giving it a one second or less blast of ether and not waiting for the grids to cycle, allowing more of the minimal volts to be available for cranking.

I've always been told to make sure to allow the heaters their full cycle, but it just wasn't leaving anything for the starter.

I though some members could benefit from my trials by ice if they fall victim to a similar circumstance.

I've carried the ether for 5 years, and never used until my injectors started failing this fall, and now a dose this last weekend to revive it from a cold sleep.

While I hope to never have to use it, I will always carry it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have never had to use ether to start the Dodge, just thinking wouldn't the grids set off the ether???

Had a Cat 1693 motor, it had Glow Plugs. It was an Option on start up to use the glow plugs to pre-warm or not use them. Was told NOT TO USE ETHER!!! when preheating with the glow plugs it blows them out.

 

[AEdelheit]

Your truck will start at below freezing temperatures without the grid heater, its helpful but you will not damage anything if you dont use it when jump starting.

 

[Kry226]

Yep, just crank and start. Forget about the wait to start. Unless you have water problems, that is. :-laf

 

[WCPoe]

Several times while winter camping on old batteries, I've run them down to where a jump start is harldly viable and may take 20+ minutes of the other vehicle idling before getting much of a crank.

.

Sounds like a new set of AGM type batteries might be in order, (i.e. - Like Sears Group 65 Platinum Series or boil some water and pour it over the intercooler to take the chill out, ha, ha.)

I used ether on the old John Deere tractor in below freezing temps to bring it to life but OMG it knocked like a sledge hammer striking a steel plate. Just can't believe it's doing it any good.
---
:-laf

 

[NIsaacs]

If it takes 20 minutes of jumper cable time to start your truck, you are using light duty cables. You need at least 4 gauge for a diesel pickup. With good cables and a good jumper battery, you should be able to start immediately.

Nick

 

[CKelley1]

all good advice, do not wait to start, the grid is not needed, the truck will start at 20* below zero without them, it is a epa thing. as far as jumper cables we make our own out of #0 welding cable. go to a welding supply house and get you 30 to 40 feet of #0 welding cable and 4 feet of #4 cable and go to napa or others and get the most heavy duty clamps they have cut the #0 cable in equal haves and install the clamps use about a 8" piece of the #4 cable to go between the handle of each clamp. you must do this for long clamp life. if you look at the clamp the connection between the handles is through two small rivets and maybe the spring, if you do not get a good connection on the side with the #0 cable all of the current must pass through the rivets and spring to get to the other side. I use to make this jumper out of the #0 cable but it is really hard to work with the big wire. with your battery completely dead and jumped from another diesel you can start the engine as fast as you can get in the drivers seat. this truck has not had a grid heater in the last 1,100,000 miles and started yesterday at one degree below zero
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[BDaugherty]

Back when i first bought my 03 it had worn out injectors with new batteries. Even at 50 degrees it wouldn't start. A time or two i had to use a quick hit of ether to get it to spin fast enough to build rail pressure to start. I just disconnected the signal wires to the grid heater relays. They used spade terminals so no tools required. Now that i have new injectors it started right up at 5 degrees this am with no block heater or waiting on the grids to cycle.

 

[AH64ID]

I would install an isolator so you are not relying on the truck batteries for the camper, or buy a small 600w generator.

If you have done that multiple times your batteries are likely shot.

I carry ether with me, but have never used it.

 

[K5IP]

Somehow we do not have this problem in Hawaii, but fuel is $5.85 a gallon. Think Id rather have your problem.
K5IP