Well guys, thanks so much for all this info.

I couldn't access this newsgroup for a few days (server problem) and now I
had a whole bunch to read.

First of all in my economic environment (out here in the country) used
batteries, their disposal etc. cost next to nothing. Everything else, UPS
etc. does cost money.
So good (except for the cold cranking problem, and I will try out the hair
dryer routine, I don't discard advice from people in Alaska lightly)
batteries of this type will be used. And as Avery pointed out when
everything fails even a new battery is quite a bargain.

I read some of the material Roy recommended and it seems that if I keep the
battery mostly at constant temperature, and sitting on a cement slab which
is heated one can assume relatively constant temperature I would think, I
could keep the battery charged (good enough for my purpose) if I attach a
voltage limited charger with 13.7 volts.

A battery like that would run a DC circulator pump for days (a pump like
this could use 4 amps but it is only ON when the sun is out).


73 Uwe




in article , Paul Keinanen at
wrote on 2/29/04 01:22:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 18:26:26 GMT, Bruce in Alaska
wrote:

In article ,
(Avery Fineman) wrote:

While a cold diesel is hard to start

Not if you understand the physics of the situation.
Just take your XYL's Hair dryer out and blow hot air
down the air intake. Your diesel will start on the
first crank, first time , every time.

The problem with diesels is the high compression ratio, so rotating
the crank shaft is the hard part. Just monitor the signal lights in
the dashboard when you try to start.

Running the block heater for half an hour will help a lot, since the
oil flows much more smoothly and the battery will deliver much more
current (if in the engine compartment) due to the higher battery
temperature.

Paul OH3LWR