What is the nominal power of a Universal M40 starter?

[ulloriannguaq]

I am in the middle of a complete rewire, including engine circuit, of a Cheoy Lee Pedrick 36 a friend and I acquired last year. Engine (Westerbeke Universal M40) and most of the old wiring is original from 1983.

I was hoping to learn from the service manual how much power the starter draws. The way the specs are written is too cryptic for me though. Or maybe I just don't know how to read it...
I found two potentially useful pieces of information:

Electrical equipment: 51 A W/Glow plugs
Starter Variance: 90 A or less

51 A just happens to also be the nominal output of the original alternator. What does that have to do with glow plugs? Can it really be a coincidence that all the electrical equipment on the engine happens to draw the exact same power (51 A) as the alternator is rated to produce under perfect conditions? And if so, wouldn't the starter be the main contribution towards that number?

I never heard the term "variance" in relation to starters before. Also can't find it on Google. I assume it means the starter draws maximum 90 A. Is anyone familiar with the term? Excuse me if the answer is obvious, English is not my first language...

In short, how do I interpret the two specs listed above?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Stu Jackson]

Engine Starting Loads - Amp Draw Data (by Maine Sail)

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowner...d.php?t=102027





Yes, it is just a coincidence that the alternator size = the glow plugs. One has nothing to do with the other.

[ulloriannguaq]

Thanks! I get a 404 not found on the link though.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by ulloriannguaq

Thanks! I get a 404 not found on the link though.

Sorry about that, I'll try to find Maine Sail's post on his website, maybe you can, too: www.marinehowto.com

[ulloriannguaq]

I searched a bit, maybe it was taken down.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by ulloriannguaq

I am in the middle of a complete rewire, including engine circuit, of a Cheoy Lee Pedrick 36 a friend and I acquired last year. Engine (Westerbeke Universal M40) and most of the old wiring is original from 1983.

I was hoping to learn from the service manual how much power the starter draws. The way the specs are written is too cryptic for me though. Or maybe I just don't know how to read it...
I found two potentially useful pieces of information:

Electrical equipment: 51 A W/Glow plugs
Starter Variance: 90 A or less

51 A just happens to also be the nominal output of the original alternator. What does that have to do with glow plugs? Can it really be a coincidence that all the electrical equipment on the engine happens to draw the exact same power (51 A) as the alternator is rated to produce under perfect conditions? And if so, wouldn't the starter be the main contribution towards that number?

I never heard the term "variance" in relation to starters before. Also can't find it on Google. I assume it means the starter draws maximum 90 A. Is anyone familiar with the term? Excuse me if the answer is obvious, English is not my first language...

In short, how do I interpret the two specs listed above?

Thank you in advance for your help!

I have measured the starter current on a 3 cylinder Yanmar at about 150 amps continuous after an initial spike of over 300 amps.

Mainesail has posted the same in the past.

It really makes no difference though. The starter battery should be fairly close to the engine. The wiring from a suitable start battery to the switch and then to the starter should be 2/0 tinned boat cable.

[AlanR]

The starter on my Volvo 36 HP engine is rated at 2 KW. About three HP.

How much current it draws will depend on how much load the engine presents. More whan it is cold, more for a new engine, with good compression. Hopefully never more than 2KW except for the first brief spike. (2KW=166 A at 12 volts).

I expect yours is similar.

[guyrj33]

Worth repeating
“ It really makes no difference though. The starter battery should be fairly close to the engine. The wiring from a suitable start battery to the switch and then to the starter should be 2/0 tinned boat cable.”

[zstine]

he may be planning to put a fuse in the starter circuit. mine is hard wired, but it's not uncommon in today's practice to do so. I'm not sure what amperage to size a starter fuse... (500A?).

[FPNC]

The M-40 is a V-1902 Kubota engine and has a starter rated at 12v / 1.4 KW