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Topic: Ether system (Read 1712 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Ether system

Reply #25 –
Quote from: RRadio –
The computer may give up after a few seconds if none of the cylinders are firing normally. Wait a moment and crank again and it'll probably get a few cylinders firing normally on the second attempt. I've never needed more than three attempts and it's always been because the computer gave up and made me try again.
It would be nice to have warm oil as the heat would rise to the rest of the engine. But you would have to leave it on all night. I put a backpacking stove under the oil pan of an old Mercedes diesel I had to get it to start up at altitude and even a gasoline Fiat 850 up at 8K and 10 degrees.

I never have a problem with the cranking speed. Even in the teens, it cranks fast. Just not enough heat from compression.

There is nothing in the DDEC ECU that will cause it to "give up" other than low voltage. The white smoke that is produced is from all the unburned diesel.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Ether system

Reply #26 –
I have a rocker switch "blank" labeled "Ether" but no switch or canister.  Started yesterday at 28 degrees.  Sluggish start but caught on second try with coupaus amounts of white smoke.  Went away after about 30 seconds and ran fine after that.  Batteries showing low charge rate though but would expect that due to the cold.
Randy & Connie Peterson
Carlsbad, NM
1994 Grand Villa  #4593  SOLD
U240 36' Unihome CAT 3116 6 Speed Allison
Motorcader  17988    SKP  103142
2016 Ford F150 Towed Vehicle

Re: Ether system

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Peterson143 –
I have a rocker switch "blank" labeled "Ether" but no switch or canister. 

I have the rocker, as well, but it's not connected to anything. Are you sure you don't have a block heater?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Ether system

Reply #28 –
As the former Foretravel sales manager mentioned above in this thread I assume if someone critizes someone's product knowledge and later turns out to be incorrect an acknowledgment of the error  may be appropriate?

60 second crank times in cold weather and/or altitude is not unheard of. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Ether system

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
As the former Foretravel sales manager mentioned above in this thread I assume if someone critizes someone's product knowledge and later turns out to be incorrect an acknowledgment of the error  may be appropriate?
60 second crank times in cold weather and/or altitude is not unheard of. 
I try not to heat the starter motor for more than 30 seconds but as you say, the total time may well be 60 seconds or more with copious amounts of white smoke choking the tent campers during but especially after starting. As I mentioned, I did completely melt the cable to battery connector trying to start in 17 degree weather at high altitude. ViseGrips came to the rescue.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Ether system

Reply #30 –
As a former skier I researched possible starting parameters of my then available engines.  The 60 seconds was ok then a five minute rest then another 60 seconds.

As the 6v92 has a oil pan heater available like the most Cummins used here also seems to offer on our motors the external heater addition would seem to be relatively inexpensive and offer an additional backup starting aid which would seem to be in line with the general design of a Foretravel coach with multiple backups inherent when new
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Ether system

Reply #31 –
Those push button fuel injector heaters that the Airstream/Isuzu had sure worked great!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Ether system

Reply #32 –
Maybe someone took the ether system off. I remember someone on the forum taking about removing their system. I was a
heavy duty mechanic for years and had to get equipment going at 30 below. I have used lots of starting fluid (ether) and it won't hurt an engine if used properly. If you have a heater system (grid heater) you can't use starting fluid.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Ether system

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Ether start dispenses a measured charge per button push below 50 degrees F as the system is thermostatically controlled.

Block heaters require operating sub systems to work as does aquahot engine preheating.

 Do c8.3's have a ether start dash switch?
Bob, do you know where that thermostat is located? I was trying to test it when I bought the coach and never was able to make it work.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Ether system

Reply #34 –
No I do not.  I always told  it was integral with the units head where the canister screws on?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4