how many amps does a thermostart draw?

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member
Location
Twin Cities
Maybe a better question is how heavy a gauge of wire
do I need?
I am slowly converting this 4400 to an alternator
and new style tach and drive.
I'm using a the switch and wiring harness from a
gasser. Was going to use a heavy push button on the
dash for the thermostart.
Obviously I don't need the coil wire on a diesel so
I was thinking about using that for the TS as it
goes through the plug at the firewall.
It is 14ga. Is that heavy enough?
While I'm at it here, is 10 ga heavy enough to go
from the alternator to the battery or should I
replace that with an 8or6 guage?
It is a 40 amp alt.
 
10 gauge wire is what I always use when I do an alternator on a tractor. for the charging wire and 14 gauge for the 2 wires off the plug if it is a Delco 10si. As for amp draw for a thermostat none since it is in the cooling system LOL
 
My 6600 has 14 ga. wire on it for the thermostart and that is factory. It does work great, though!
Good luck
Bill
 
(quoted from post at 07:56:19 07/03/14) 10 gauge wire is what I always use when I do an alternator on a tractor. for the charging wire and 14 gauge for the 2 wires off the plug if it is a Delco 10si. As for amp draw for a thermostat none since it is in the cooling system LOL

I was just as confused as you old...

I kept thinking "why is UD trying to run a wire into the cooling system". All the 12V alt talk only confused me more (must be a simpleton).

Then I read "thermSTART", ahh now its clear. 10-12 AWG should be plenty.
 
LOL.
The 3 cylinder diesels have a cold weather starting
aid in the intake manifold called a thermostart.
It works electrically by means of a heater and a
bimetal spring.
The element gets hot and the spring opens and
dribbles a bit of diesel fuel which ignites and
heats up the intake air. I have never had mine
hooked up but since I'm rewiring thought I would get
it working.
 
In that I would use 10 gauge wire since it will draw a pretty good number of amps but yes I read thermostat not start.
 
I would measure the resistance of the thermostart and calculate amps = volts / resistance. I would run a #10 for the alternator unless you plan on a lot of accessories, then #8.
 
Can't do that and be anywhere near accurate. The resistance changes as the element heats up. Try it with a light bulb sometime and you'll be quite surprised.
 
Just checked the fusing in operator's manual, and Thermostart calls for a 15 amp fuse, Size wire accordingly, or 14 gauge minimum!
HTH, Dave
 
Okay, I'll go along with that, but I gotta assume that cold draw would be a maximum of 15 amps & warm draw somewhat less, otherwise, wouldn't the 15 amp fuse blow? I grant you that the fuse might take a short duration overcurrent, but so will the conductor! Therefore, I stand by my earlier statement that 14 gauge [u:79c6da6de4]minimum[/u:79c6da6de4] will get the job done!
Dave
 
The max draw spikes for only a fraction of a second, not enough time for a fuse to blow. I'm guessing peak current is 40 amps or more.

If I can find some time, I'll test it with my Fluke ScopeMeter and graph the results and share it with you all.
 

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