Re: Hard start!! Reply #50 – March 09, 2020, 09:59:03 pm After reading this thread, I got to thinking that my starter was pretty anemic, and I usually use the boost switch to give a little more juice. So I cleaned and sanded down all the battery terminals until I had nice clean cooper and then went to the other end and took the terminals off the starter to clean them and noticed that the positive stud on the starter was really lose and would wiggle side to side easily. Tightened up the nut on the stud and then cleaned and reinstalled wire onto positive starter stud and tightened down the nut that holds the terminal and then went back to the battery and reinstalled all the battery terminals. Tested it out and now it spins like a top without boost switch. So make sure to check the positive stud on starter is tight, and if not tighten the nut that holds the stud tight. Thanks to everyone in the forum. Quote Selected 6 Likes
Re: Hard start!! Reply #51 – March 09, 2020, 10:11:05 pm That's why the boost switch is such a crutch, masking problems in the primary starting system. Big rigs don't have a second set of batteries. Pierce Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Hard start!! Reply #52 – March 09, 2020, 11:25:37 pm Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – March 09, 2020, 10:11:05 pmThat's why the boost switch is such a crutch, masking problems in the primary starting system. Big rigs don't have a second set of batteries. PierceBut we do, so why not use it? I've got reasonably new starting batteries and my system works fine on them alone, but I figure it's less strain on them if I include the house batteries when cranking. Every tenth time I don't use the boost switch, just for reassurance. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Hard start!! Reply #53 – March 09, 2020, 11:51:00 pm Quote from: Travelin' Man – March 09, 2020, 11:25:37 pmBut we do, so why not use it? I've got reasonably new starting batteries and my system works fine on them alone, but I figure it's less strain on them if I include the house batteries when cranking. Every tenth time I don't use the boost switch, just for reassurance.I don't think there is any strain on the starting batteries whether you use the boost switch or not. I never do and the last batteries lasted over 10 years with one having low voltage. Car batteries last the same with no backup. Why do you think it strains them? That's their job. I have three 31 series start batteries that are 1000 CCA more than I need. If I used the boost switch and added the 6 house batteries, the start batteries would not last a day longer in my opinion. If the boost switch had not been used in the case above, the starter problem would have been found a lot earlier. Imagine the starter totally failing in a remote winter location and when the boost switch was used, it still would not start. When the CCA matches the engine requirement, any problems starting require a repair, not covering it up by jamming more CCA at it. If I used the boost switch, I would have never found that one of my start batteries was low on voltage.Pierce Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Hard start!! Reply #54 – March 10, 2020, 12:00:01 am We hooked up our blue sea auto combiner auto disconnect for the banks when the engine start relay is energized.Other wise, as posted, always connecting the banks can mask battery problems Quote Selected
Re: Hard start!! Reply #56 – March 10, 2020, 10:01:34 am I see both sides of this "use/don't use the boost switch for starting the engine":Don't use it because it will mask issues with starting batteries and/or battery cables and connections.Do use it to provide more amps/less voltage drop to the starter.So, let me offer a "compromise":Use boost switch for most starts.Once a month/every 10 starts or so, start without boost switch to prove all is working as it should. Quote Selected 13 Likes
Re: Hard start!! Reply #57 – March 10, 2020, 11:00:24 am I'll keep doing it that way Brett. Quote Selected
Re: Hard start!! Reply #58 – March 17, 2020, 05:37:03 pm Update>>>The coach is purring like a kitten again! Today I finalized the connection points to the battery bank and torqued all of the bolts to spec. With fingers crossed I went up front and turned the key. With 3 cranks of the motor she took off like she is supposed to!!I did get nervous because after running just a few minutes the motor died. Being cautious not to turn it over to much, I made a few attempts to restart the coach and it failed. Knowing it was likely a fuel issue I opened the back and stared at the motor and then decided to try one more time to start her. SUCCESS, I guess my stare down worked!!Thank you to all that took the time to read my hassle and to those that lent a helping hand!! Time to chase another gremlin!! Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Hard start!! Reply #59 – March 17, 2020, 10:04:16 pm Can you summarize the solution? s. Quote Selected
Re: Hard start!! Reply #60 – March 18, 2020, 06:49:04 am Quote from: Protech Racing – March 17, 2020, 10:04:16 pmCan you summarize the solution? s.Simple!I followed the above recommendations and ordered a new starter and then I ordered new positive 4/0 battery cables. Both replacements went pretty seamless. I did find one of the starter bolts were cross threaded which made it difficult to remove. I then tapped out the threads and sent to cummins and bought a new bolt for that hole. I also changed the positive and negative power posts.Approximate cost $430 Quote Selected 5 Likes
Topic: Hard start!!