Simms/spring starter

ongolo

ongolo

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Hi all,

We are planning to sail one day to antarctica. I expect all batteries to fail in the cold which is not a problem except that I will not be able to start the diesel anymore. Also as a back-up generally I am considering one of these spring-loaded starters such as simms marketed some time ago by lucas.

They were used lots of times on tractors here in the 70's. Apparently, they are also used on life boats and emergency gensets where it is important to start the engine reliably.

Does anybody here have any experience in using them? Or knows somebody who knows somebody who ...

Or does anyone have one suitable for a 3.8L 80HP Deutz 912 4 Cyl.? and another for a Lister LT1?

Thanks for any input.

regards ongolo

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Hi,

Yes I have used these spring starters - on 'black start' emergency generators. Always worked o.k.I can't remember seeing them on lifeboats - come to think of it the lifeboat engines were quite small and were hand crank with decompressors. The other type of starter I've seen is a hydraulic starter where you pump up an accumulator by hand and then pull a lever to operate the starter motor. These can be used on quite large engines.


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You could consider a hand starting generator (one of these cheapies that are readily available) and an automotive battery charger that is designed to boost the battery during starting. Use of this for 10 minutes before attempting start will help to warm up the battery and then the combination of the battery and the charger should produce enough CCA to start your main engine - especially if you give it a little kick with the old spray ether - not something I would recommend on a normal basis, but an emergency once off should be fine. (it would also help the hand start generator to fire up!)
I have used this type of charger with a flat battery that would not even fire the solenoid on the starter, and a 2.5ltr turbo diesel with success so it does work.

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Hi yes,

I have considered this option also. In fact I had a LT1 Lister (which somebody needed so I sold it until I get a new one) that blows its cooling air into the aircooled deutz cowling to warm up the Deutz bevore starting.

But still, I have a technical background and know that if it can fail it will fail eventually. We all still talk about a day in a friends life who left the farm house in the morning just to inspect a pump. By night fall, all seven of his vehicles/tractors/sedan were standing for some reason or other distributed over the farm on the way to the pump. He walked back to the farm six times just to get the next transport, the last time he walked to a neigbour who then helped him to get one of the vehicles going and the next day he spent, pulling vehicles out of the mud, filling an empty tank, repairing a puncture and other minor problems.
That must have been a record in any farmes life.

So I have a Honda genrator 1.7Kw and power suplies/chargers no problem, having a 90 amp alternator running also helps a starting attempt, but I would like a complete independent means of starting. That is why I have asked about these spring starters.

Thank anyway, I am sure your experience and suggestions will help others some time.

regards ongolo

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I used Simms mechanical starters on Lincoln mobile generators in the early 80s when I was based in the "third world" we couldnt use batteries cos the locals kept nicking them. The Simms worked fine and were an option from the manufacturers. I have been keeping my eyes open for one for a while but not seeen one. Lincoln generators were made both in the Uk and US - try looking for a spares or service dealer. Alternatively try one of the veteran tractor rallies, steam rallies or "ploughing matches" I suspect a number of those guys who like fiddling with old agricultural machines could help you out.
Martin

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Ive used them on military diesel engines, they work long after electric starts give up the ghost, Ive tested in cold cabinets down to minus 30 deg C, where the cold was freezing my lungs but the engine still started, one word though at extreme cold temps we had to water the diesel down with kerosene to make the engines fire up.

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Hi
Our Club work boat has a 3 cylinder Lister diesel with a this type of starter, never known it not to work, may take 2 or 3 shots but it always works,it is a Simms
type, it helps if a little oil is applied via the cold start tube on each cylinder
Regards
GrahamSC

<hr width=100% size=1>Never recovered from loss of Tot, 1974
 
Ok thanks I got the idea and I am convinced that is the way to go for me. I have found a site of the manufacturers where they advertise them as new/secondhand/reconditioned.

As far as tractor rallies and the likes go, there are non held where I live (in Africa)

Now I have to make a serious effort to get one.

good night and thank you all.

ongolo

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.springstarter.com/frameset.htm>cool!</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Why'd he call me shortie?
Because you're small,...small,...S, M, all.
 
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