GP Relay - correct voltage?

[I_Publius]

Yep, I charged the batteries this week and they are fully charged.
When I crank it, it is barely turning over, as if the batteries are very low.

Describe a scenario for when I would Use the manual push button.

 

[I_Publius]

So, if the GP Lelay seems to be getting power, and I have all new glow plugs, and I am hearing the clicking inside the cab, and my batteries are charged, and I have a new starter, Where else should I check?

 

[doghead]

If your glowplugs have been cycled once, they are not new.

It takes 2-5 minutes to measure them individually with a meter.

That is the only possible way you can say(know) they are good.

It sounds like your starter is too slow to start it, from your description.

 

[I_Publius]

Starter has been working fine past couple of months, so hoping that It is not it. Ugggg,,,

Thank you for the glow plug information. I had not thought about it from that perspective. I will check the glow plugs and see if they are working.

 

[Warthog]

Also since you have been having charging issues, your batteries may need to be charged again.

Each of this issues will cause a starting issue.

 

[I_Publius]

So, if my batteries are fully charged and the starter is barely turning over, what else may be causing that issue? In the order of starting for an engine, the starter would need to be Functioning optimally before the glow plugs fire. Correct? Why would the starter be barely turning?

Ideas?

 

[doghead]

Battery, cables, connections or starter.

The GPs operate before the starter motor.

 

[I_Publius]

Good to know about the GP. I will check those.

 

[doghead]

If you have a Chinese starter, Many members on the site that have had them fail very prematurely.

 

[I_Publius]

I do not believe it is a Chinese starter. I took the starter that was on it when I purchased it, which was a 12 V starter, and had it rebuilt locally. Believe it was a US made starter.
I will check the connection tonight.

 

[Warthog]

He has a 12v direct drive installed.

Recharge your batteries and if the starter still cranks slow, reinstall the gear reduction I loaned you and see what happens.

 

[I_Publius]

Great idea. Will do.

 

[cpf240]

How about load testing the batteries?

Even if they are new, they, or one, could be bad. Don't remember how many batteries you have with your 12v conversion. Most any auto parts store can load test them for you.

A simple, if not complete test, would be to put a voltmeter across the terminals of the battery, as you would to check the voltage. Note the reading, then, with the meter still attached, have someone try to start the engine. What is the voltage reading while the starter is cranking? If it hits the floor, there might be a problem with that battery.

 

[I_Publius]

Another great idea. I'll check that, as well

Thanks!!

 

[Warthog]

He has two batteries.

 

[I_Publius]

Load testing both batteries dropped them from approx 12.5 to 9.4.

 

[Warthog]

Not a good reading.

When you bought them in Sept, did they come with a warranty?

How did you charge and test them?

 

[I_Publius]

I bought them from the scratch and dent warehouse at a big battery mfg here in the north TX area. They like NASCAR. Batteries were $50 each, so I had to try them out. Group 31's.

I have a battery charger that I hooked them up to, slow charge, until it read "fully charged."

Tested the batteries with a voltmeter. Reads 12.5, fully charged.

I had someone crank the engine and the voltage dropped to 9.x.

 

[Warthog]

Since you have been having battery issues I would suggest that you make a trip to Harbor Freight and buy a battery load tester. There is a store in Richardson and they have a tester on sale for $20

http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp-6-volt12-volt-battery-load-tester-69888-9191.html

While it isn't the best, it will give you a desent test of your batteries.

 

[I_Publius]

so, I took the batteries over to my local auto battery store and they put a load test on them. The batteries failed, so I upgraded to two new ones. Uggg...more $$.

Tried them out and nada, still no start.

I'll try replace the starter with the one I have of yours and see if that works.