truck didnt start 28 below

[TCluff]

my truck didnt start the other night, one battery and no intake heater, had to plug the battery charger in and the block heater for about 20 minutes then it fired right up, i think im going to put the other battery back in... . it was -28 deg

 

[NUKEMAN]

Which brings me to the question (maybe a stupid one). How do the batteries on our trucks work? Do both engage the starter, or is one used for starting and one for the rest of the electrical stuff? Just curious.

 

[McLaughlin]

The batteries on mine are connected in parallel. Basically they provide the same voltage but double the current capacity. From experience, I know mine will start with one battery since I had a bad positive cable connecting the two. Didn't find out until the passenger side battery got low (wouldn't charge do to the bad connection) and the lights didn't work (due to the summit mod the power for my lights is connected to the passenger side battery terminal) and when it got cold, the first battery couldn't provide enough power to both crank the engine and pull up the fuel cutoff solenoid.

 

[AMink]

TCluff, have you heard how cold it's been getting at Wildhorse Reservoir? Usually pretty chilly there, but I haven't heard mention this year yet. Though -28* IS getting a little nippy! :-laf

 

[Forrest Nearing]

in that situation, ether is your friend

 

[Bertram65]

Did you take one of the batteries and the grid heater out? If so surprised it started after only 20 minutes with the block heater and no grid heater.

 

[bmoeller]

in that situation, ether is your friend

ONLY if the grids are disconnected.

 

[DMyran]

Ditto!!



I would personally never ether my CTD in my truck. It should be kept in good enough shape by myself to start as low as i need around here. I have started my old 2003 when it was -34 w/o being plugged in. Didn't want to but had to go somewhere in a hurry so didn't have time to wait for the heater. One things for sure these Cummins sure start alot better than the other guys Ford or Chevy!!! :-laf



Dane

 

[2broke2smoke]

surprised it started after only 20 minutes with the block heater and no grid heater.

same here ...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

he said one batt and no grids... ether would have gotten it started

 

[NUKEMAN]

Ditto!!



I would personally never ether my CTD in my truck. It should be kept in good enough shape by myself to start as low as i need around here. I have started my old 2003 when it was -34 w/o being plugged in. Didn't want to but had to go somewhere in a hurry so didn't have time to wait for the heater. One things for sure these Cummins sure start alot better than the other guys Ford or Chevy!!! :-laf



Dane

I'm in the same boat. I'm just outside Great Falls and occasionaly, I have to start mine after sitting in -30 at work for 8-10 hours with nowhere to plug in. Sounds like it's going to explode, but still starts and runs great. Every Ford and Chevy next me is stationary until it warms up.



And no, DON'T use ether.

 

[tom sweeney]

... just curious... . why would one pull out the second battery???... ... ... tom

 

[bmoeller]

he said one batt and no grids... ether would have gotten it started

True, but you need to CYA with that one. For those who are needing a sign, as per Bill Engvall. :-laf

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

[ One things for sure these Cummins sure start alot better than the other guys Ford or Chevy!!! :-laf



Dane[/QUOTE]



Everything is better than the other guys' :-laf