Engine starters.

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doug748

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On Saturday a chap rowed over to me and said his battery was dead could I help? I was stuck really, only having big lead acid batteries.

I have been thinking about one of those battery banks/ engine starters; any recommendations?
For ease of use, what I would really like is something that could plug into a cigar socket to boost the house battery if required. Stanley did one but not readily available in the UK, any others?
 
I had a Halfords job for years ... but the SLA in it soon gave up. They really do not like sitting around even if left plugged in to maintain battery.
I found that when it worked - I had a very short starter run from it before it just died. I never managed to actually start an engine with it.

As to the present day Lithium based Boost starter packs ... pal of mine bought one ... was all crazy about it saying it was capable of this that and all sorts magical. One day he needed it ... connected up on his Lancia MPV ..... turned ket - PHUT - smoke ..... nothing more.
 
Sandy said:
Do you have a starting handle?
Click to expand...

That is one change to engine I really do not understand why missing.

My Perkins 4-107 is basically a Tractor / Taxi engine ... which for years had a starting handle. But as a marine engine has no provision for handle. I have even considered trying to obtain a replacement pulley so I could have a handle.
 
MartynG said:
A friend has one of these .


View attachment 143210
Click to expand...

Similar to my mates ..... which went 'PHUT' when he had to use it.

Has your friend ever used it in 'anger' ??

The numbers look great .... 1500A 12V .... but the killer is the 35Wh ..... which tells you that the actual pack is just shy of 2Ah (edit) 3Ah......

Originally such packs were designed to 'boost' a low charged on-car battery .. not to be used as sole start power pack.
 
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Refueler said:
The 4-99 before it and the 4-107 that replaced it .... BOTH I can turn using large plumbers grips ...... and both had no Decompressors.
Tractors ... London Cabbies used to have handles on them ...... so why should being marine make it not work ?
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It is one thing turning with grips, another fast enough to get over a compression to fire. I had a 4-108.
Another facture is the space available. Not many have the room for a good swing.
 
DownWest said:
Somewhat doubt you could hand swing a 4-107 without decompressors.
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Correct. The quickly following compressions of a four cylinder diesel precludes starting by handle. Yet I, as a boy, could start a three cylinder Lister Blackstone quite easily. The decrompressors allowed sufficient speed to be built up with the handle. Dropping the decompressor levers then had it away like a good 'un.

I can easily start a 14.5 : 1 compression speedway bike by pulling the back wheel. On a brave gear ratio, turning it in reverse until compression and then pulling hard the right way builds up enough inertia for the heavy internal flywheels to overcome compression. It would be impossible with a diesel compression ratio.
 
Refueler said:
The 4-99 before it and the 4-107 that replaced it .... BOTH I can turn using large plumbers grips ...... and both had no Decompressors.
Tractors ... London Cabbies used to have handles on them ...... so why should being marine make it not work ?
Click to expand...

London Cabs with starting handles were the petrol ones. The FX2 and FX4 Cabs had 2.2 or 2.5 BMC diesels, no handle.

The Borg Warner auto gearbox for London Taxis, a model 35, was uniquely fitted with a tow start pump. This allowed gearbox pressure to drive the engine by pushing or towing.

We fixed our Land Rover up for pushing after an old FX2 rammed us up the arse while we were towstarting it. Pushing, via a large padded bumper, was far safer after that.

It was tricky to turn a BMC diesel over when spill timing the pump without the injectors out.
 
I too have a Noco Boost GB 40 as a backup to carry in a diesel car. After overwintering, my boat batteries were unable to turn over the engine - a VP 2003. I connected the jump starter, lifted the decompression lever and pressed Start. Instant positive result. I was surprised and impressed and will definitely have the GB 40 to hand when starting the engine next March..
 
The reason I said 'I would somewhat doubt' is I have never even thought to try. I used to fix gensets, mostly Lister powered. Even the slightly bigger ones would start with decompressors, not a hope without, even the 5hp ones.
 
Refueler said:
The numbers look great .... 1500A 12V .... but the killer is the 35Wh ..... which tells you that the actual pack is just shy of 2Ah ......
Click to expand...

I make 35Wh /12Volts=2.9Ah
= 300 Amps for 30 seconds or thereabouts , for example
 
MartynG said:
A friend has one of these .


View attachment 143210
Click to expand...

Me too, though maybe a bit bigger. It claims to turn over and start a six litre diesel engine. I use it for peace of mind when the car sits in the frozen alps for a week and also as when on sailing and camping holidays. It hardly ever needs charging when I check it.

Does it work? I was delighted when a boatyard neighbour could not start his 60HP or so outboard. A quick stroll to my car, clip on the wires, instant start. I hope it does the same for me one day.

A side benefit is that it also delivers USB and, from memory, has a 12 V socket. I’ve never used that capability but it might be useful on a canal boat with dodgy electrics. ‘See Eyes passim’ as they say in Private Eye.
 
LiftyK said:
Me too, though maybe a bit bigger. It claims to turn over and start a six litre diesel engine. I use it for peace of mind when the car sits in the frozen alps for a week and also as when on sailing and camping holidays. It hardly ever needs charging when I check it.

Does it work? I was delighted when a boatyard neighbour could not start his 60HP or so outboard. A quick stroll to my car, clip on the wires, instant start. I hope it does the same for me one day.

A side benefit is that it also delivers USB and, from memory, has a 12 V socket. I’ve never used that capability but it might be useful on a canal boat with dodgy electrics. ‘See Eyes passim’ as they say in Private Eye.
Click to expand...
Same here - got the GB40 a good while ago after lots of research and over the lockdown period it was used regularly to start different cars, famous last words but never had a problem with it

We do carry some 4m long heavy duty jump leads but have used the NOCO regularly instead as its way easier

It has a USB output and you can also get hard wire kits that can be left in place so it just plus in
 
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