Generator start leads
So... fixin' to do some electrical upgrades to our TC - LiFePO4 batteries, DC-DC charger, solar... "the usual" ?? One part that has me scratching my head a bit is the starter leads for the generato...
Forum Discussion
HMS Beagle wrote:
I'm a bit surprised by your measurement of 375A - even momentary - to start a small genset. I wonder if is it an artifact of the sampling rate of the clamp ammeter. A Cummins 5.9L diesel draws only about 300A cranking, motorcycle engines in the 1000 - 1200cc range draw around 150A at stall and 100A cranking. These measured with a 100 KHz amp probe on a 1Ghz recording O'scope. Even if it peaks at 375A for a few milliseconds, that would not heat a thermal fuse enough to blow it.
You might try shutting the fuel off or removing the spark wire from the genset, crank for several seconds and see what the starter really draws. 375A @ 12V = about 6 HP!
Yeah, that sounds like a crazy amount of juice...... My 4000 watt Champion which is an electric start from a tiny battery only has #8 wire so I know it can't be sucking near that much juice for something that's similar or smaller of an engine.....
I would think 37.5 amps would be more realistic...
