. Could be a fun toy.
Air Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 171
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From: Houston, TX
The air starters I am talking about look like and work like the stock starter motor, except it is pnuematically operated instead of electrically.
The starters on our Gensets on the rigs used this type.
This is what I want on my truck....
One like from AM Airstarters, mentioned above
The starters on our Gensets on the rigs used this type.
This is what I want on my truck....
One like from AM Airstarters, mentioned above
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,079
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From: LA and CO
Originally Posted by wbhinton
The ones used for those monster 3512's is deafening...
Somebody has to make them. My dad drives for a trucking company and they have some on their trucks. I'll see if they are running the IH T444E
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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The united states postal service uses air starters on many of their diesel powered vehicles, internationals included. We need to find out who is suppling them to the body builders or speak to someone in the vehcle maintaince department.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Houston, TX
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We use pneumatic starters on jet engines. The problem you have is if the solenoid valve fails to close the starter will remain engaged. Then the engine lights off and the big gear grabs that little gear, zowweeee. Unless you have a monitor of the solenoid valve closure, i.e. a light to tell you it opened and closed I don't think it's the greatest idea. In addiition, if you live in cold weather you get condesation freezing the valve closed. Alternatively, you could install a manual valve in your cab and route the lines to it. That way, you would have positive opening and closing.....just don't forget to close it after light off.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 5
From: Gig Em, Tx
Lou, the starters these guys are talking about are nothing like what you describe. The oilfield compressor engines (3512, 3516 etc.) are regular spark ignited engines that use natural gas for their fuel. The starters work just like an electric one except they use the natural gas to power them. They take a hell of a lot of volume to work and need to be oiled frequently just like an impact wrench.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
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From: Near DC
There's this simple idea, you take a hand crank and.....
Anyway, if anyone lives near Philly, some of SEPTA's old Neoplan buses have an air starter that sounds sooooo beautiful, clean, smooth and sweet. I used to retrofit them up near Quakertown. Perhaps someone can get a clip.
Warning: You WILL rouse the neighborhood....
Anyway, if anyone lives near Philly, some of SEPTA's old Neoplan buses have an air starter that sounds sooooo beautiful, clean, smooth and sweet. I used to retrofit them up near Quakertown. Perhaps someone can get a clip.
Warning: You WILL rouse the neighborhood....
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
It would take a very large receiver to store enough air to start a PowerStroke. Too large to be practicle because a PowerStroke needs long cranking times to build oil pressure high enough to fire the injectors. This usually takes around three seconds of cranking. Most other diesels take only one or two revolutions to get started, about 1/2 a second.
I investigated this a couple of years ago. I repair compressed air equipment for a living and make it a practice to use all things air. A small air starter uses approx.30 SCFM to operate. At that rate a 60 gallon receiver would be exhausted in a couple of seconds.
It would be fun though. I agree an air starter sounds cool.
Steve
I investigated this a couple of years ago. I repair compressed air equipment for a living and make it a practice to use all things air. A small air starter uses approx.30 SCFM to operate. At that rate a 60 gallon receiver would be exhausted in a couple of seconds.
It would be fun though. I agree an air starter sounds cool.
Steve
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 87
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From: Northern IL
Where I work we have air starters on a lot of big diesel engines, but we do have problems with them sometimes. They will get stuck and not engage, and have to be pulled off and rebuilt or cleaned. Also, we have a big air compressor for the whole building that supplies a pretty constant 95-100psi.
Putting one on a pickup truck would be a hassle with adding the air tank, compressor, lines, air oiler, etc. Plus it would only give you a few cranks before the tank would be out. Unless you put a big electric compressor on the truck you'd be stuck. Too much hassle just to sound cool in my book.
Putting one on a pickup truck would be a hassle with adding the air tank, compressor, lines, air oiler, etc. Plus it would only give you a few cranks before the tank would be out. Unless you put a big electric compressor on the truck you'd be stuck. Too much hassle just to sound cool in my book.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
Originally Posted by fixnair
A small air starter uses approx.30 SCFM to operate. At that rate a 60 gallon receiver would be exhausted in a couple of seconds.
Of course, if the engine failed to start on the first try, and you had no air left, you'd be sitting for a few minutes while the tank built up enough pressure to attempt a second try. I'm with Dan - I think I'll stick to my electric starter. Although, an air starter does sound cool.
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