Cummins Conversion Update

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Sep 22, 2008 | 09:35 PM

#406

jtharvey

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 7,413

Likes: 1

From: Columbia, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkland

I see an issue with one battery being cold all the time, and the other hot- maybe i'm overreacting though...

Theoretically the one under the hood will degrade quicker, and then suck power out of the remaining good battery.

or else i'm just being a worry bug

I think you're just a worry bug. The battery under the hood won't degrade any quicker than it would with a 7.3 in there. Also, after logging a lot of data about underhood temps in that basic area (IAT sensor, about 6" away from the battery), I don't find them to be that much higher than ambient. About 10-15 degrees higher when under motion. Also, those data logs were taken with the 7.3, where there was an exhaust manifold on both sides. With the Cummins having the exhaust completely on the passenger side, there won't be nearly the amount of radiant heat on the battery than what used to be there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin'

You should be. Sharp dressed, AND he has a cummins! Thats a score 9!

What would be necessary for me to have a 10?

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3

Cummin will get ya in trouble

Not necessarily. Is it you or her?

Sep 22, 2008 | 09:38 PM

#407

Smokin'

Smokin

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 8,849

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3

Cummin will get ya in trouble, but the ladies love it when a guy has a nice stroke...

(copyright 2008 i just made that up)

Hey, did you guys hear that?

I think...I think that was the sound of thousands of women rolling their eyes simultaneously.

Sep 22, 2008 | 09:38 PM

#408

Tenn01PSD350

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 11,892

Likes: 2

From: Middle Tennessee

Oh boy, I see this one headed in a very productive direction.

Sep 22, 2008 | 09:42 PM

#409

Smokin'

Smokin

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 8,849

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Sorry Mike. Kris started it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtharvey

Plus, I wanted to keep one battery up in the engine bay for easy access, just in case I ever needed to provide a jump start, need one myself, or needed to temporarily access battery power for something else, like an inverter, air pump, etc...

Jeremy, just a thought...the only time I have ever jump started a diesel successfully, we had to jump both batteries at the same time. May have been just my particular situation. I'm not sure if it would be wise to plan to have access to both batteries if necessary.

Oh and the 10 question, you already know the answer to that.

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:08 PM

#410

jtharvey

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 7,413

Likes: 1

From: Columbia, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin'

I hadn't thought about that, but at this point, I think I'm just gonna go with it as I have it planned. If I get into a situation where both need to be jumped, I can get to the second battery, it just won't be easy. However, I know of at least one guy with a CR conversion who only ran on one battery for several months. I'm hoping that if I ever needed a jump, the one battery would be enough. If it's not, the batteries are probably shot and will have to be pulled for replacement anyway.

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:16 PM

#411

UP_There

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 5,613

Likes: 9

From: Flagstaff, Arizona

I've never had to jump this truck, but on my 97 7.3L I jumped it with only using one battery. I think it will work fine, just might have to let it sit on there for a few minutes and let it trickle across to the other one thru the cable a bit....

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:39 PM

#412

Smokin'

Smokin

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 8,849

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtharvey

I do think that a Cummins' heating cycle (coil) is a tad bit more efficient than a 7.3's glow plug and relay. Perhaps it won't ever be an issue.

I know my dad's 5.9 would start in cold weather without even a cough, even with crap batteries...no comparison to the cold-sensitive 7.3.

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:45 PM

#413

PowerstrokeJunkie

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Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 14,582

Likes: 12

From: 21791

Quote:

Originally Posted by UP_There

Do you know how fast electricity actually moves? When you add voltage to one, they both see it instantly because they are wired in parallel, with larger gauge wire than the actual jumper cables. It's just the amperage load they can handle that takes some "time" to build up.

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Sep 22, 2008 | 10:59 PM

#414

jtharvey

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Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 7,413

Likes: 1

From: Columbia, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin'

I do think that a Cummins' heating cycle (coil) is a tad bit more efficient than a 7.3's glow plug and relay. Perhaps it won't ever be an issue.

The Cummins grid heater (that's all they have, no GP's) may be more efficient than the GP's in the 7.3, but I won't ever find out as I have removed my grid heaters. I do still have the grid heater though should I find the truck too difficult to start in the winter and need to put it back on the truck.

I'll find out soon enough, with winter approaching. I'll leave it plugged in most of the time, but I imagine I will to a test on a cold day and not plug it in just to see if it will start on its own. I won't make a habit of doing that, but it will be good to know so that if I'm ever somewhere where I don't have access to a plug in, I'll know whether it will start or not.

Sep 22, 2008 | 11:16 PM

#415

farmdad

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Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,777

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From: Buckingham, IA

There's always ether.

Sep 22, 2008 | 11:30 PM

#416

jtharvey

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 7,413

Likes: 1

From: Columbia, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmdad

There's always ether.

I think that would actually work just fine for me. The biggest problem with it on most diesels is the heat from the intake heater or glow plugs igniting the stuff when it's not supposed to. Without any kind of heating device in my intake or cylinders, I should be ok if it came to that.

Sep 23, 2008 | 12:51 AM

#417

4inchlovin

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 5,578

Likes: 1

Ya but my 7.3 is at running temp by the time i get to the freeway, my buddies 5.9 isn't warm till he gets half way to work...

Sep 23, 2008 | 11:13 AM

#418

farmdad

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Buckingham, IA

I always fear finding out how to replace head bolts.

Sep 23, 2008 | 12:01 PM

#419

8tsixt

Elder User

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 546

Likes: 0

From: Rialto, Ca.

I'm jumping in here late but want to say your project looks great! I always have wondered about doing this to mine when the engine has a stroke.

Sep 23, 2008 | 03:43 PM

#420

parkland

Lead Driver

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 6,267

Likes: 5

I'm paying attention, if theres anything I know about projects like this is that getting everything bolted in is the easy part - getting everything fine-tuned and running proper is the time eater.