Starter life

[Archive]

What is the life of a starter? I'm presently using a 850 cca battery, when OAT is around freezing level, starter appears to stagger a little, although the engine fires on the first compression. Have located a larger battery (thanks Al for the tip), am considering at least a 1000 cca battery or going dual batteries. Truck presently has 220,000 km, approx. 137. 500 miles.
Thanks.

------------------
Ian.

'93 D250 ext. cab. Upgraded injectors, 3. 5" exhaust, K & N filter, larger transmission oil pan filled with AMSOIL, Xmsn oil cooler and fan, 4 gauge mount (tacho, boost, EGT, Xmsn oil temp), mirror tubes reversed, RACOR fuel filter, CB, 110vac 400w inverter

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 12-31-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

My original starter is still going. I would suggest that you get a larger battery, mine is around 1100 amp capacity. When starting cold engine it is normal to have to crank the engine a litle longer, a warm engine probaly dosen't even go a full turn and is runnning. This is probably why the starters last so long. Dual batteries don't seem to last to long, see second generation forum, maybe two years, the only advantage is that the smaller batteries are easy to find. Typicaly we get five years plus out of a battery. Very few jobers would stock a battery this size, so it would probably have to be ordered for you.

Neil #ad


------------------
Neil Copeman 92 D250,LE,limited slip, 16cm turbo housing, Isspro gauges, factory tach option, Lear cap, DC crankdown tire carrier
Hadley air horns, Stealhorse leather seats, e-mail (home): bombedcummins@sympatico. ca

 

[Archive]

Hi Ian, My 1992 Dodge has a 1100 CCA battery in it and has never failed to start. I have even started it at -20 F with out it being pluged in. I just "glowed" it twice and held the throttle to the floor until it started. I have not had any starter problems and I have 166,000+ miles. My friend has one with 300,000 miles and has never touched the starter. I personally like Interstate batteries. I have never found anything to beat them. I have three of there 1100 CCA batteries in tractors and my truck and love them. Around my area they are about $100. Hope that helps you out a bit.

------------------
Jeremy Sweeten
1992 Dodge W-250 4x4
Cummins Diesel, Intercooled,
LE Package, 165K, AT, Warner Hubs, 3. 54 limited slip differentials, 3" straight pipe, K&N air filter
http://home.earthlink.net/~sweeten1/index.htm

 

[Archive]

I have 232,000 miles on mine, with the original starter. I just replaced my battery, because when it got down into the 20's or lower, it cranked real slow, now it spins it right over. It worked fine when it was warmer. A weak battery will make you wonder if the starter is going bad, but it could just be the battery.

 

[Archive]

The starters are long life pieces of equipment. I always run a 1400 CCA Exide battery on my truck, never fails to crank. I would recommend a minimum of 1100CCA.

Good luck

 

[Archive]

Big Don, what group size is your 1400cca Exide? I'm using a grp 31 from the local
NAPA store that's 1100cca. Its real heavy,
has 2 handles, cost close to $90, does a good job, but is only 1 yr old. It has bolts
sticking out of the top like a large truck battery, but I put adapter posts on it so that it would fit my oem cable clamps.
I've had a little experience with John Deere
2 cylinder tractors, Freightliner & Kenworth trucks and M60A1 tanks with 2-6 batteries in them that leads me to believe that any time you can get the job done with one big battery, you can save yourself multiple headaches.

 

[Archive]

Mel

Does the group 31 fit in the truck? I currently have the group 30H (1050 CCA) which is about 4 years old and want to replace it. I make it a habit to replace the batteries every 4 years. But NAPA wants 90 bucks for it and I have to order it. So I was looking at the Group 31 (950 CCA) at Sam's club for 59 bucks, but it looks a little tall.

I also looked at the dual battery set up but decided against it. It didn't seem worth the headaches and additional cost.

 

[Archive]

Caltruck,
Yes, this grp 31 fits in the battery box of my 93 just fine, but it is too wide for the oem battery hold down clamp(and bolts too if
my memory serves me) so you can either buy a
generic clamp & bolts or fabricate a better
one. This grp 31 was sold to me as being
1100 cca or real close to it; whatever it actually puts out cranks my 93 over with authority although I seldom start it without
having it plugged in. Time will tell whether
or not it was a good choice, but it looks like a heavier, better made battery than the
one in it when I bought it last year.

 

[Archive]

Ian
Get the biggest freakin battery you can get for that thing. Right now I use a Freightliner battery (1100 CCA) and it still gets sluggish at -20°C. That low amp battery won't have enough juice left after running the grid heaters to spin that heavy iron. When I bought the truck the guy had some 850 Delco battery and it couldn't handle the job at all. This is one area where you have to spend the bigger bucks.

Jeh
(edit) As for starter life, I haven't heard of anyones being replaced that I know and they have more miles than mine. Get the bigger lead-box and see what it sounds like.


------------------
Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs. 237,500 miles (380,000 Kms) 7850 Hrs.
Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics

[This message has been edited by Lil' Dog (edited 01-02-2001). ]

 

[Archive]

Here in Georgia, its usually doesnt get this cold, but we have had several weeks, with lows into the teens, about a year ago I bought a battery from autozone, about 1100 cca, for about 80 bucks, with a 2 or 3 year free replacement, cant tell how well it turns the motor over cause as soon as it moves, it cranks, it would seem to me though, that an 850cca battery would be weak for these trucks, especially up in the great white north...

------------------
1993 Dodge/Cummins D250 LE ext cab 185000 miles

1970 Dodge W300 Powerwagon with 8 ft dump bed

 

[Archive]

Many thanks for all the comments about big batteries. Prior to my original one quiting just over a year ago I reached the point where I'd need to start at least every 12 hours to try and keep the engine just a little warm. One Saturday morning after sitting 24 hours, 'That's It'. Phoned a mobile battery service, woman was at my home in less than 10 minutes. Biggest she had, and according to her chart which I didn't see, said the 850 would be OK. Cost me $C160. Last week looking around, found a 1100 cca for $C100. There is an RV show next month, if I cannot do any better there, will go for the 1100 cca I found last week. As for the great white north, it was white here for a few days in mid December, that reminds me, have to mow the lawns this afternoon.
Thanks again everyone, great place for info on the TDR.

------------------
Ian.

'93 D250 ext. cab. Upgraded injectors, 3. 5" exhaust, K & N filter, Xmsn oil cooler and fan, 4 gauge mount, mirror tubes reversed, RACOR fuel filter, larger transmission oil pan.

 

[Archive]

Ian, I was hoping to hold off on lawn mowing at least until the end of March. Must be all of that hot air coming from our politicians.
Cheers,
Al

------------------
92-LE,4x4,5spd,3. 54,Borgeson steering shaft, Tach,Isspro Pyro & Boost, 16cm2, PW injectors