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| | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 161 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 161 | anyone know how many amps a 6V starter usually needs? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | seetz,
When you think of amps, it should be thought of as 'uses' as opposed to 'needs'. If everything is mechanically sound, a AD 6 volt starter working off a fully charged battery will pull around 80 amps when running free.
When you stick it on the truck and crank the starter, it will go up to around 250 amps. If it's lots more than that, either the starter is failing or the engine has some mechanical binding in it.
I would start looking around if it went above 250 amps. I think this info is correct for the AD rigs.
Stuart
Last edited by atomarc; 01/05/2009 8:38 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,751 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,751 | I'd expect to see 250 to 300 amps, depending on the tightness of the engine, and how much compression you have. That being said, slow cranking speed can make the current draw go way up, and starter winding damage can happen very quickly. A starter running at its normal cranking speed develops a "counter-EMF" (electromotive force, or voltage, in other words) that opposes heavy current. As the starter lugs down, it will draw massive amounts of current. It appears to the battery to be almost a dead short, and you'll cook the battery and the starter. Once a starter lugs down, get off the switch in a hurry! Give it a boost, or install a hot battery.
Jerry
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | The old ammeters for checking starters used to red line at 400 amps. That is kind of a guide line. Anything near or above that indicates a dragging starter. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 461 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 461 | Yes, to the previous answers, and I will add that engine temperature and oil viscosity will affect the starter current. Engine temperature below around 30°F and oil viscosity above SAE 20W being used the ambient temperature is below around 30°F will cause a large increase in starter current. And SAE 20W oil at that temperature is pushing your good fortune.
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