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Jumping Batteries

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 03, 2003 at 15:00

Mixo

Question for the auto-electrically gifted.
I have a 99 TD Jack with a Rotronics aux battery system.If I need more cranking power, can I simply jump the two batteries (neg to neg, pos to pos) without compromising the rotronics circuitry ?
As you may know, we Jack'ers often need mo' amps for longer in the cold weather, that other diesel owning victims.
Any advice appreciated.Gotta have red sand on those boots !
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AnswerID: 26686   Submitted: Sunday, Aug 03, 2003 at 18:13

Matt M replied:

Mixo, I would be worried if you need more cranking power then the jack can provide you?? If so I would check with Rotronics if their system is compatable with a gel cel, or Odessey batt as the main, with more CCA!!

What rotronics system are you running?? I cant see why you would ever want to get rid of it, as some have stated, they are top quality, only wish I could afford!! I cant see why you couldnt jump the Aux battery for a temporary solution to a cold morning start but not permanent with the Rotronics fitted, would sort of defeat the purpose of such a good system!

But yes jumpers from batt in parallel will certainly allow you to start and should not evffect it at all!

Do you have the rotronics CD, it shows the circuit diagrams for all the systems they sell and the cd is free! Just give a buzz and they send it out!

Goodluck, Matt.
Reply 1 of 3
FollowupID: 18247   Submitted: Sunday, Aug 03, 2003 at 19:42

Mixo posted:

Thanks Matt.... a few thoughts emerging here re your reply....will ID the next main battery purchase....look for max CCA available. If I was to do a jump, I can isolate the Rotronics box temporarily while the jump is on. And the Rotronics would not expect to drop the joining circuit in immediately anyway. I just envisage one of those ultra frosty mornings when I will have to do something out there in the bush.....and if it doesn't go, I have to a few volts up my sleeve to run the HF comms when calling out...."help". Will chase up the rotronics CD....Thanks.Gotta have red sand on those boots !
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 18262   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 05:39

Bob Y. - Qld posted:


Mixo,

You would only need the one jumper lead, from + to +, as the neg are both hooked up to the one earth. Have seen it done this way, with no ill effects.

One hint for cold weather starts, if you think your battery may only have "one hit" in it, is to pour hot water over the inlet manifold, injector lines etc. This will help to liquify any fuel that may be waxy.

Did this once with an old tractor, on Barkly Tableland, as well as lighting a small fire under the sump, to warm the oil. It started well, which was worth the effort, in that situation.

Hooroo...

FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 26734   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 09:51

yarda replied:

Mixo, if you are having trouble starting on very cold mornings, check out the previous forum posts regarding t/d jacks. The culprit is the engine oil being too high in viscosity and low in quality, you need to run a 5w50, or 0w40 grade fully synthetic oil. the previous posts will keep you reading for hours. cheers Brad
Reply 2 of 3
AnswerID: 26756   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 13:35

Mixo replied:

Yes Bob - agreed - one pos lead should do the trick for jumping. I have been pretty careful with the quality of fittings and installation so battery earthing should complete a good circuit. On the oils Yarda, that is a long story as you say and I have contributed to quite a few of the posts you mention - I have settled on 10w-40 as my "norm". 95% of my driving would benefit from that grade, and I "takes my chances" with the cold snaps. Seems to me that the 0/5-30/40's are getting too thin for prolonged use in mild conditions. By the way, spoke to an owner trucky the other month who runs conventional oil in his Cat TD's for 25,0000 intervals. Does not believe the synthetics are worth the extra dollars.... hope he's right....lotta dough at stake there.Gotta have red sand on those boots !
Reply 3 of 3
FollowupID: 18289   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 16:25

yarda posted:

Mixo you should try a 5w50 synthetic likebleep's . There is one thing which demonstrates how good synthetics are at lubricating - you can't run a new engine in on them, the rings won't bed properly.... By the way i work for an oil company and i can guarantee that synthetics are far superior to minerals. All our work vehicles (falcons commodores rodeos) run on 0w 20 GT1 organic based synthetic oil and by jeezus you can feel the difference. some of the vehicles have 200+ Ks on them and get flogged hard , but they still purr like new. Your trucky mate probably runs with very few shutdowns and cold starts and changes filters in between. Don't be scared of thin oils - nearly all new engines are built to very close tolerances and love them. Cheers Brad
FollowUp 1 of 1

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