D 4 j dozer has 24 volt start - would like an easy to start added

I have a D-4 CAT with a 12v starter for the engine -
it works great when there is power to run the starter.
but the batteries only last so long.
it has a tank heater that I plug in awhile [depending on how cold it is]
average temps in winter vary from 40 to - 20 {I choose to ignore it and dont run it after it drops to -10 if possible}

it is usually parked under a lean too off the side of the shop, so its dry there near a 110 outlet,
could add a 220 outlet if needed.

Is there another device I can buy that will allow it to start with AC?

What kind of devices do you use? any that you might recommend?

I use it occasionally [that why the batteries go low]
I plow with it a few times a year with the occasional start up through the summer just to warm it up.

Do you disconnect the battery or remove it when it's not in use?

Battery maintainer, trickle charger. Battery blanket, you'll want it plugged in overnight before starting. Plug the block heater in an hour or two before starting. Use winter diesel, or #1.

Winter doesn't kill batteries, it just reveals how weak they've become. They drain over the summer with no use, but a simple battery maintainer will help them live long productive lives, and the battery heater blanket will give them plenty of juice to crank over a warm engine no problem. The #1 fuel will help with altitude also.

Tones said:

Do you disconnect the battery or remove it when it's not in use?

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Delmer said:

Battery maintainer, trickle charger. Battery blanket, you'll want it plugged in overnight before starting. Plug the block heater in an hour or two before starting. Use winter diesel, or #1.

Winter doesn't kill batteries, it just reveals how weak they've become. They drain over the summer with no use, but a simple battery maintainer will help them live long productive lives, and the battery heater blanket will give them plenty of juice to crank over a warm engine no problem. The #1 fuel will help with altitude also.

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thanks so much for looking and the helpful tips on battery use.

yes i disconnect the batteries, but time [years] kill them
the fuel is blended that is not an issue.
i operate the tank heater a minimum of 2 hours,
yes battery maintainers are used [after disconnect] this sometimes extend life of the batteries.
but not always as I seldom use the batteries for anything.
I know AC is always there when it can be connected, it requires less maintenance and does not grow weak with age.

when the starter runs = the CAT engine is happy to fire up and operate

I know why the batteries die -
that is why I seek an alternative as every 5 years or so they need replaced.
batteries do need care and maintained, terminals cleaned, eventually replaced ect.
yes batt maintainers are used [after disconnect] yes I clean terminals and replace those when needed.

i do know that winter cold kills a battery. in all vehicles the cold kills the batteries strength/start ability.
in warm weather an old batt will hold a charge and start an engine just fine - until it gets cold. . .
the old cold battery holds a charge, but is too weak to work.
that is why I seek another option to use the AC as it is a constant.

our snow blower, mower and tractor have an AC only starter that work - but they are small engines that have a pull start if its ever needed when far from AC. these have spoiled me and I am lazy to seek a plug in that runs a starter.
If there is one?

or I might have to just buy a new starter that uses AC?
im trying to avoid an AC starter as I just rebuilt this starter and its hardly been used.
[but always starts when the batteries are in good shape]

once my CAT is running it is never off until I park it undercover near the AC.
this is my hope to not have to buy a batteries that I only use maybe 6 or so times a year.

Your battery cables are that size for the amp load/heat. Any 110 starter would likely melt the wires in the wall if it spun at all

You can find an air starter, a spring starter, you could get a pony motor, amish would weld a vee belt pulley onto the starter and use a honda pony motor to start it, but I've never heard of an AC starter motor for anything besides a snowblower. I'd guess you'd be better off with one battery and keep it warm like I said with the battery warmer blanket, buy Cat batteries if you want it to last. No need to disconnect it if there's a maintainer on it. Alternatively, borrow the battery from your vehicle to start it, and put it back in the vehicle when done.

The non battery alternatives would be a gas pony motor, or an electric universal motor cobbled into a starter drive, like maybe a skill saw, or grinder. Super capacitors charged off AC might be something to consider also?

A lot has to be said for the original starter motor. Still the best starting system I believe.

Hey, replacing batteries and tires regularly is all part of owning equipment and heavy trucks and its usually the cheapest part. Thats just life

How long are you hoping the batteries are gonna last.

Are you saying that you have a direct electric start D4 J series. Is this a conversion that does not have glowplugs. You could add glowplugs but that would require new precups, glowplugs and electrical. You could upgrade the batteries to two Group 31-s in parallel. They'll start a frozen 3306 and sometimes a 3406. Are you using two 6v-s in series now?? You don't mention a pony motor. You can add an electric start pony motor which would be a major improvement. Unfortunately, all these options take time and money and there's no easy solution. Bigger batteries are the cheapest, followed by glow plugs, then the pony motor. You wouldn't have to install the batteries. A Grp 31 battery pack in the shed that connects parallel to your tractor batteries through an Anderson connector would suffice.

If you have a good pup motor all you need is a rope.

Delmer said:

You can find an air starter, a spring starter, you could get a pony motor, amish would weld a vee belt pulley onto the starter and use a honda pony motor to start it, but I've never heard of an AC starter motor for anything besides a snowblower. I'd guess you'd be better off with one battery and keep it warm like I said with the battery warmer blanket, buy Cat batteries if you want it to last. No need to disconnect it if there's a maintainer on it. Alternatively, borrow the battery from your vehicle to start it, and put it back in the vehicle when done.

The non battery alternatives would be a gas pony motor, or an electric universal motor cobbled into a starter drive, like maybe a skill saw, or grinder. Super capacitors charged off AC might be something to consider also?

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Delmer said:

You can find an air starter, a spring starter, you could get a pony motor, amish would weld a vee belt pulley onto the starter and use a honda pony motor to start it, but I've never heard of an AC starter motor for anything besides a snowblower. I'd guess you'd be better off with one battery and keep it warm like I said with the battery warmer blanket, buy Cat batteries if you want it to last. No need to disconnect it if there's a maintainer on it. Alternatively, borrow the battery from your vehicle to start it, and put it back in the vehicle when done.

The non battery alternatives would be a gas pony motor, or an electric universal motor cobbled into a starter drive, like maybe a skill saw, or grinder. Super capacitors charged off AC might be something to consider also?

Click to expand...

Years ago I had opportunity to start a couple of Deutz 6 cyl, occasionally , that were fitted with
spring starters. Seemed to work ok.
IIRC they were a lucas brand. Don't know if they are still made.

Some towed vibrating rollers had those spring starters on Lister engines and yes they were Lucas.

If you were to design an AC starter that was functional, how in the world are you going to start the dozer when it is away from an AC source ?
A big azz mobile generator ?