Has anyone ever fitted an Air Starter to their truck to replace the stock electric starter?

An air starter seems like it would be more reliable, as long as you have an air supply... and they sound pretty slick when they spin an engine.


WB

 

I've only heard one once a long time ago, and yes it sounded really cool. And after I got over the sticker shock, it occurred to me that it would be some serious bragging rights. It would be a good reason to shut off the truck when you go to a dyno meet.

 

The fleet where I worked had some air starters many years ago but proved to be troublesome and expensive. Where fire safety is a concern or mandated that non electrical equipment be used may require air starters.

 

The reason that I ask is that, in the oil field all of the big CAT engines have air starters... and boy do they scream when they crank that motor....

thought it might be kinda cool to have in a PSD

 

How much are they? Do you use electric air compressors and a tank to power em?

 

not sure on how much the starter would cost...

You would have to run an small compressor and a small air tank to power the starter. Maybe a .5 to 1 gallon tank. And just wire the compressor to kick on after the truck has fired up.

I looked at some earlier that operate at 90 psi and only pull .25 cfs (cubic feet per second)

 

I heard that air starters make good statistics for the Army.
When they have alarm, with 3000 psi air tanks they can make outside the gate without starting the engines.
That's what statistics count.

 

Hey guys, this sounds interesting. . . is this something we can get ahold of? I would be interested in it, ANybody let me know, Thanks,
Timmy

 

There are two manufacturers that could help out on the air starter idea...

ASC- ascairstarter.com

AM airstarters- amairstarters.com

Take a look and let me know what you think

 

what do air starters sound like? it seems like it would be pretty easy to swap in if it was a bolt-on item. does the military use T444Es?

 

You know how an impact wrench sounds? Its kinda like a cross between and impact wrench and a singing turbo.... Louder and higher pitched than an impact and louder and deeper than your turbo. Sharp and crisp sound.

The ones used for those monster 3512's is deafening...

You will never forget what one sounds like when you first hear it go off. I hit the deck because I thought the SOB was about to blow-up, all of the experienced hands laughed at me :-/

 

Muuuhahah!

Click here for a crappy clip, but all I could find. http://www.citlink.net/~tcrandall/RoadWarrior.wmv

 

ha! that sounds cool!

 

Here's another. Hard to find. http://www.towboatjoe.com/starting.mp3

 

Air start systems work well on large (very, very large) diesel engines that a starter motor could not turn over.

The air start system pipes high pressure air to each cylinder from a distribution manifold and though air start check valves to each cylinder. The systems I'm used to run with 175 psi starting air pressure and will spin a diesel engine until it starts.

After maintaining the air start systems, I'm glad that my truck has a starter motor....

Lou Braun