ANOTHER Onan DJE generator starting problem! (Monday)

Sorry, make it 800 amps at 32F.

If its a lube and not a dielectric grease and has good low temp specs it should work.

If you got it use it. But combo batteries are a compromise. Unless you have a need for deep cycle when this one dies get a straight starting battery.

Welding supply store or heavy equipment truck parts store.

Dave

Thanks. I wonder though, should it not be properly lubricated at the factory?

First of all, I have a boat and I need a marine battery. Second, a marine battery can crank for longer because it has more amp hours, at least I think so.

Thanks, I appreciate.

It probably will not come with a plunger and is shipped dry.

No it can't crank longer it can discharge longer at a relatively low rate. Look at the cold cranking amps CCA. Batteries are designed for specific purposes. A group 31 is designed to crank diesel engines.

Got a call, I'm off to a job. Good luck. Dave

Ah, I see. Thanks.

Oh, I see. Thanks. Live and learn, I guess.

I agree with Dave about the cables, if they are very long. If you are talking about a few feet then the differences between 4 and 1 would be slight. IMP I welding or locomotive cable as it is called sometimes is great though expensive. I have used MTW wire. Stands for machine tool wire, "a whole lotta tiny wires" very similar to welding cable but comes in THWN and XHHW insulation which can last longer in the sun light. ( big deal where I live ). Your not going to find MTW at the box stores

Also the connections from the cable to the terminal to the post is another place of importance. I have an T&B 3 crimper that I use to put the terminals on. This makes an very air tight connection a lot like a factory battery cable. I also like to use grade 5 bolts they hold up better to the corrosive nature of batteries.

My saga goes on. The solenoid that I bought from Onan turned out to be completely wrong. The correct one costs, drumroll, $370 something. I almost fainted when I heard that. WTF!

I am going to go to McMaster-Carr today (they have an office 30 minutes from me) and pick up a 12V DC 1" linear pull solenoid of similar dimensions. The pull force is 80 oz, which I hope will be enough. The solenoid draws 11 watts (1 amp), which I hope won't overload the control system. I will have to do some "metalworking" to fit an adjustable nut on it and fit it into the system, but I am hopeful.

I am building a cushioned carriage for it, see my progress at

I, It looks to me that you are going a touch overboard on the cushioned cart. I don't understand why you are going to such extremes to reduce vibration. BTW, how do you plan to turn the cart? Its going to be tough to maneuver. Good luck with the solenoid! Dave

Dave, you could, very well, be right. I may be going overboard. My reasoning is that the price of these used tires is unbeatable (they are free), the cushioning ability of this setup is unbeatable (tires are made to flex for tens of thousands of miles), the sound dampening ability is also good (as far as sound transmitted via vibration), and the whole thing is likely to end up being very stable. Also, I reasoned that vibration is the enemy of wood, screws, plywood etc, and dampening it as much as I can would help with peace of mind.

Also, I was afraid that without this cushioning, the 5/6" axles could bend during transportation or engine operation.

If I , say, use this genset in emergency and go to bed at night, I would feel good if I was sure that this setup won't fall apart while I am in bed, at 3 am, due to plywood/screw/etc failure.

So, worst case, if you are right, I would have wasted a few hours of my time. No big deal, I waste time all the time.

Good question. Basically, I am strong enough to lift one end of it a little bit. I will attach something that would let me do it without excessive bending, or some boards for extra levering. I am not concerned.

Thanks, I definitely need it. I appreciate all help and advice that I get here on rec.woodworking and other groups.

Let me know how that works for you, and the exact McMaster/Karr stock number, as I want to convert my MDJA and DJA over to Injector Rack Shutdown from Compression Release Shutdown.

Bruce in alaska

See my another post with deteiled description of the mcmaster solenoid

Well, there are rubber mounts between the generator and that platform.

You may well know better than me.

Hm, that's something to think about. Thanks.

Had mine sitting on a tire and its been drenched in fuel several times, spills when cleaning the injector, spills when filling on cold days and hands are frozen, etc. Its a scary sight, but I dont know where the fire hazard would come from. Ive accidentally hit the tire with the torch many times while warming things up, diesel isnt that easy to ignite.

Good point. Plus, my tires are under a solid platform (solid 2x4 ft piece of plywood underneath.