Starter Current

SuperDave
SuperDave Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
What amperage should I read on a 262 on 6 volts? This car has all the clean correct grounding,#1 cables, rebuilt starter.. Loose well worn 262.. When engine is cold 300 Amps warm fluctuates to 400 amps.Battery checks out with a hydrometer.Spins fast when cold slow when hot. Timing is spot on,just at the pre-ignition point when warm under load..Total voltage drop from battery to starter post when hot cranking .23 volts..Stumped..for now...:S

Comments

  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser
    I think you need to load test the battery.
    If your careful ,you can watch the cells to see if they bubble
    when somebody cranks over the vehicle.
    Also try grounding the coil wire when it acts up,
    this will elimanate an ignition problem.
    Standard compression ? Heavy battery cables ?
    Just a few ideas
    Roy
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    edited November 2011
    Dave, I am assuming you are referring to current draw when cranking the starter. A few years ago I put a load tester on my 308 and optima battery. Cold cranking start draw was 225 - 250amps. Of course oil was 10w 30 and the engine had @ 7000 miles so it was not tight. This is why I do not recommmend Those "little green wheels" as a kill switch. They are rated below 250 amp and act as a current bottleneck. My 1950 Caddy pulls 325amps, so your not that far off. I would replace the #1 cables with 00 for less resistance.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    RonS wrote:
    Dave, I am assuming you are referring to current draw when cranking the starter. A few years ago I put a load tester on my 308 and optima battery. Cold cranking start draw was 225 - 250amps. Of course oil was 10w 30 and the engine had @ 7000 miles so it was not tight. This is why I do not recommmend Those "little green wheels" as a kill switch. They are rated below 250 amp and act as a current bottleneck. My 1950 Caddy pulls 325amps, so your not that far off. I would replace the #1 cables with 00 for less resistance.
    After checking absolutely every thing and finding nothing wrong, I made a temporary 2/0 cable from a piece of stiff household service wire..soldered the connections.. The voltage drop from the solenoid to the starter measured only .02 volts!! about 1/10th what the factory felt was acceptable. So i had the local interstate battery guy make me one from welding cable for about $18.00 including tax. Looks great. problem solved. It's interesting though that an old original cable I had from my 49 appeared to be 1/0 guage. Thanks for the advice
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    Well, contrary to our love for Hudsons ( or any car for that matter), the goal of the Hudson Motor Car Company was to make a profit. Every little bit of cost control helps. Use the minimum deemed necessary to sufficently operate the vehicle as so to maximize profit and remain competitive. Alas, the reason for a lighter cable.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    I'm afraid I have to differ with Ron. Of course Hudson was in business to make a profit, but they also put a premium on quality materials and all aspects of performance. A club acquaintance years ago told me he had worked at a steel plant in Ohio where Hudson bought their raw sheet steel. Contrary to the other auto manufacturers, he said, Hudson always insisted on the highest quality stuff they produced, never anything less. I'm sure the battery cables Hudson used were appropriate according to the standards at the time (or better).
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Rick,

    I think Dave Kostansek has offered such cables for years.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    The cable is not cheap. I just bought 100' for $277.00 on Ebay. That is as cheap as it gets. I have another use for the stuff, but if any is left over, I'll probably have some Hudson cables made up.:ohmy:
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    Y ad Z, as well as Rhode Island Wiring, will make them up.
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    edited November 2011
    I got a set for my Jimmy from here: http://custombatterycables.com/. Very impressed with them, going on about six years now.
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