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AIR start?

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2 years 8 months ago #234625 by neil
Replied by neil on topic AIR start?
You don't need a huge tank per se. What you need is the engine to start promptly. That would work for a hot restart, but I'd question it for a cold start. The tank on Mack trucks from memory is probably about 20-30 gallons and cranking time, even cold, is about 2 seconds. So you'd use your pony to start cold and if you had no air in the tank. You could use the air start for a hot start. You could run a generic Bendix compressor on the D315 to recharge the tank just like trucks do.

Cheers,
Neil

Pittsford, NY

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2 years 8 months ago #234628 by bursitis
Replied by bursitis on topic AIR start?
in the 1960's oil field days i remember a fleet of maybe 20 mack trucks that all had air starters. i can still hear them all getting fired up on a cold morning. the trucks all parked at a rail that was made of 3 inch pipe that was hooked up to a huge air supply ran by a fairbanks morse engine. the trucks just connected to the rail to get started. they cranked for several minutes sometimes to get warm enough to start. once started they didn't shut them off sometimes for weeks.

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2 years 8 months ago #234630 by Iron Beaver
Replied by Iron Beaver on topic AIR start?
Hmmm I have a generic Bendix Tu-flo 502 sitting around that I pulled out of a scrap pile. Also could get a small air tank easily. Now all I need is an air starter motor that fits and doesn't cost way too much money...

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2 years 8 months ago #234631 by neil
Replied by neil on topic AIR start?
If you didn't need to be all fancy with a key start solenoid valve, you could just use a regular valve like those rapid tire inflater tanks. Need about a 2" dia pipe from the tank to the starter motor. Rig up a longer belt (vbeltsupply.com) for the Bendix, add a D2 unloader and you're cooking with gas. Need video!

Cheers,
Neil

Pittsford, NY

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2 years 8 months ago #234649 by Claney
Replied by Claney on topic AIR start?
I ran a Euclid 6 wheeled scraper 5 speed with 2 speed aux. I always thought it had 6-110 detroit and it had air starter. there were I think

6 scrapers on this job on I-35 at Ottawa, Kansas. They had air starters, but mine was the only on the job that had enough air to start

in the mornings. The rest were pushed started by a Cat pusher. I'll have to agree with D 4 Jim on having to locate an air compressor

some mornings. Good luck with your project

Claney

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2 years 8 months ago #234650 by Deas Plant.
Replied by Deas Plant. on topic AIR start?
Hi, Claney.
NOT something I would do BUTTTTTTT - - - - - - - it'z his D315.

Just my 0.02.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

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2 years 8 months ago #234652 by neil
Replied by neil on topic AIR start?
You said it Iron Beaver - finding the air starter that fits. You'll easily find one that fits in the hole, but pinion fitment might be a different matter. For electric starts, the 11 or 12 tooth helical (can't remember if it's CW or CCW rotation) is what's used and it's an assembly predicated on solenoid engagement. Your air starter as mentioned previously is likely to be inertial engagement. Of course anything can be made so if you "really" wanted to do this, that's where I'd start on figuring out the logistics, because that's the hardest part I think. You already have a compressor, generic valves and tubing are available anywhere, probably pickup a tank or two from a Mack dismantler, and an air starter from ebay or somewhere so everything else seems fairly straightforward.

Cheers,
Neil

Pittsford, NY

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2 years 8 months ago #234657 by Claney
Replied by Claney on topic AIR start?
Hi Deas and Iron Beaver. I wasn't bad mouthing the air starters I liked the one I had. It worked and sounded good kinda like a siren.

Everyone turned their heads when I fired it up.

Sorry if my previous post didn't come out right.

Deas you still living in in the good ole USA? Hopefully we will get through this pandemic thing and get back to normal.

Claney

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2 years 8 months ago #234660 by Deas Plant.
Replied by Deas Plant. on topic AIR start?
Hi, Claney.
Yep, I'm still here. You poor souls are apparently stuck with me now until late June, 2023.

We are hoping to have the BOTW show again this year on Memorial Day weekend.

Just my 0.02.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

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