Rescue rig project

[SuperBuickGuy]

BOOOOOOOST!

Don't think I've ever seen a cable going to a starter that was too big - especially on thess high compression beasts - big cables and batteries and fresh (never champion) glow plugs are darned good insurance.

honestly, all I know about the kit is it gives you about 100 more hp. Oh, and Banks still produces it - so it must all work out... I know I seem nonchalant, however, remember how Washington is full of huge military bases? means 6.2l diesels come with a gallon of milk at the grocery store. I got the full compliment of gauges, so if anything is amiss, I'll know pretty quickly.

snicker - about that (those) cables - that was a temp until I got a second cable (which is run now)... but I sent my protege to the store to pick up a starter cable equalizer - he went to two auto parts stores, strangely he couldn't find one. - as I explained to him, if you have two different thicknesses of cable, too much energy will go in one cable, and not enough in the other.... so hopefully, it won't be a problem (too much energy in one cable then the other)....



I sure can be a stinker at times

[ogre]

first - finally got around to replacing the other fuel tank with the bondo patch

[/IMG]

sbg
if your truck has 2 tanks, do like my nephew does with his ford diesel. fills 1 tank with veggie oil from restaurant deep fryers. he starts and warms up on diesel, switches over to veggie oil for running and then a couple of miles from his destination switches back to diesel. he pulls an equipment trail daily behind it.

he has a harbor freight 12v pump in back. drops the hose in the waste oil tank and pumps it right into his truck being careful not to suck the junk off the bottom. he also runs a big cartridge filter on that tank. the only other mod is to wrap 10 ft of copper tube fuel line around the heater hose to heat the fuel before the injector pump.

[SuperBuickGuy]

sbg
if your truck has 2 tanks, do like my nephew does with his ford diesel. fills 1 tank with veggie oil from restaurant deep fryers. he starts and warms up on diesel, switches over to veggie oil for running and then a couple of miles from his destination switches back to diesel. he pulls an equipment trail daily behind it.

he has a harbor freight 12v pump in back. drops the hose in the waste oil tank and pumps it right into his truck being careful not to suck the junk off the bottom. he also runs a big cartridge filter on that tank. the only other mod is to wrap 10 ft of copper tube fuel line around the heater hose to heat the fuel before the injector pump.

I do have two tanks, but I don't do WVO - it gets too cold up here. During the winter, it's rarely above 45 degrees - and that stuff starts to gel at 60. I've considered biodiesel, but even that's a issue up here - the Metro bus system used WVO and biodiesel and had nothing but problems (especially with water issues).... in the end, they dumped the entire system because it cost more than diesel (imagine what it takes for sodom on the sound to do something non-green).

[SuperBuickGuy]

So the truck works great, is waiting patiently for its turbo upgrade - which might actually happen next week - but a needed update happened.
I've been pondering how to add an air compressor and a welder to my rig. I've seriously considered the engine mounted systems, but my experience with them has been mixed for these reasons:
1) you're locked into a specific company - which the portable welder companies are really good, but pretty expensive (1200-1600 for a system).
2) if it breaks, you're without a welder or air compressor for awhile
3) the "portable" systems don't give you that much air - and to the ADD person I am (read, I've now a medical reason for my impatience...lol) - I don't have the patience to spend an hour airing up tires after a bit of mudding or snowwheeling
However,
the systems are complete and well thought out - so don't take my choice as a negative on the systems - they are quite good.

So. what to do?

How about simply adding a inverter to the truck (dual batteries already) and away we go?

However, first step - check your system. My truck has always (since I got it) had trouble starting cold - slow cranking. And I've solved a number of problems but hadn't got to the root of the problem.... until now.

with my meter on "continuity testing" I put one lead on the negative cable, and one on the alternator


Houston, I think we found the problem.

When the motor was replaced (I'm guessing here) the mechanic didn't think about why that silly little star washer was UNDER the damn cable.... by simply putting it under the cable (where it attaches to the alternator bracket) we get this number



So, to figure out what size inverter I need - it's actually quite simple. volts x amps required = watts required ... so let's plug some numbers in. 120v x 7.3 amps = 876 watts required. My TIG portable welder takes 115 v x 20a = 2300 watts. So, I bought a 2500 watt inverter that can peak 5000 amps.



complete install pictures when done...

oh to complete the calculations. The alternator is a 140 amp, so that allows me 13.8 x 140a = 1932 watts.... which means I can't use full power indefinitely, however, it should be more than enough. Also, it gives me options if the power goes out.... it's more than enough to run the furnace, a light or two, the tv or computers.

[Beagle]

20 amps will run a pretty dang big compressor. I've been pretty happy with the floaty inflator at the lake, a "2" horse 8 gallon 15 amp start, 14 amp running (Heck, that is 2 hp! Surprised.) Direct drive but not an oil-less, so it actually makes air. 4-5 cfm. It's pretty quiet too. Some creative packaging might get it under the bed / in the fender wells. I saw a couple of articles using York compressors for on-board over the years, but also thought about a 4" pipe bumper that would make a pretty good size tank.

I thought I had heard that two big batteries and some dry rod = welder?

[SuperBuickGuy]

20 amps will run a pretty dang big compressor. I've been pretty happy with the floaty inflator at the lake, a "2" horse 8 gallon 15 amp start, 14 amp running (Heck, that is 2 hp! Surprised.) Direct drive but not an oil-less, so it actually makes air. 4-5 cfm. It's pretty quiet too. Some creative packaging might get it under the bed / in the fender wells. I saw a couple of articles using York compressors for on-board over the years, but also thought about a 4" pipe bumper that would make a pretty good size tank.


I thought I had heard that two big batteries and some dry rod = welder?

You are correct, the 20 amps is a lot for a compressor, the air compressor pulls 7.3 amps - it's the welder that's the power hog. And you are correct, you can weld using just a battery (and you only need one deep cycle battery - don't tell your dad if it's his battery you're using... hypothetically speaking of course). The biggest issue with straight cables is temperature control, also melts the battery (for some reason it appears battery designers didn't consider that eventuality - what a bunch of monkeys (lol))... err, so I've heard... however, it can be done - just use the heaviest gauge jumper cables you can find (at least 1 gauge, 0 or 00 is better)....

anyway - I'm considering putting the air compressor where the spare tire was located then running connections front and rear.

[Beagle]

okay, I missed it. I saw the 7.3 but didn't infer Compressor from it. I went back to check and see where I missed it but only got as far as Groucho booster backup pooooter dog and then went A.D.D. ... where's the dog warmer? Dang. Talk about a.d.d. - do you remember the old guy doing the Nissan commercials (I actually liked those commercials) "Dogs Love Trucks" ?

yeah, sorry... sidetracked. What's the TIG look like dimensionally? I'd be afraid to leave that outside around here. Stuff has a habit of walking off...

[SuperBuickGuy]

ahhh yes, the add of car guys, there is no better....

I could have been clearer - but honestly look a squirrel!!!



The welder is quite small and light - fits right behind a seat until needed. Price is ~$284 here http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...RC-95S-/Detail

[1931s/x]

i have an older engine drive welder, thats not really runnign that great, ive been thinking of pulling the generator end off, and see how i can rig it up under the hood, its pretty big, but i think it would work killer. also a chrysler v2 ac compressor for onboard air. i always liked the idea of having a big inverter though.

[SuperBuickGuy]

i have an older engine drive welder, thats not really runnign that great, ive been thinking of pulling the generator end off, and see how i can rig it up under the hood, its pretty big, but i think it would work killer. also a chrysler v2 ac compressor for onboard air. i always liked the idea of having a big inverter though.

PTO is your friend. If you have a 2 wd, there are several options including using a 203 transfer case (you can modify them to operate only one driveshaft at a time), or a 203 with pto output, or a 205 or a 208 (though the 208 is super tough to find)

Best place to look - military surplus

[SuperBuickGuy]

Well, the inverter is wired, and works well even runs the air compressor (if the engine is on).

denephew (not denice) used his connections at the naval ship yard to find me some small wire


Started on the air bags for the back.... ug - more fab work (I mean, really, manufacturers don't make a low-priced kit for a lifted, K10 pickup that's converted to 3/4 axles?....)

Sad part, nothing worked, and it wouldn't have worked for what I ordered it for (1/2 4x4 Chev)... ah well, the benefit is I paid less for the kit than the air bags alone would cost.

removed bump stops


test fit new system (a bit short on one end)



so, do I make an angle that bolts to the frame? a tube extension to raise the bag up?

I also noticed the exhaust is too close, however, I already have a solution that includes a sawzall and turbos....

but for tonight, I put the tires back on - we had 25 mph wind on Sat night, and lost power for 3 hours. Tonight is supposed to be 45 mph wind.... should be entertaining.

[SuperBuickGuy]

So upgraded the alternator to a 200 amp (the alternator on the truck was showing lots of problem signs)

deblinged


rewired everything and installed




and for Bob - how I get further than 4'

[SuperBuickGuy]

So the old alternator is back on the truck.... the new one's regulator wasn't regulating....

So in other news, went skiing on Wednesday... truck made it all the way to the resort, but (upon later diagnosis) had a rubber, cooler line rubbing on the battery box.... lost all its fluid and gears 3 and 4. Tow truck ride off the mountain (thanks AAA for picking up that tab)... pulled the tow truck out of being stuck in my driveway....

So step one was order another transmission - should have it Monday

Today - fix the lines
If any of you do this - stop it now.



replaced the rubber lines with hard lines - at least in the areas where they could rub


haven't decided yet whether or not I'll install the transmission - according to my doc, I have a 20 lb weight lifting restriction (which I pretty much ignore, however, maybe a transmission and transfer case would be too much?).

that was 1 of 3 car breakages in 3 days

[Beagle]

some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints. You're persistent, I'll give you that. When I break two, I tend to call in sick and watch tv until the bad juju gets bored and goes somewhere else.

Between a cherry picker and a trans jack, the big problem I see is the GTO trunk. You need one of those things you dent accidentally and blame for things to lend some muscle... stop f*ing around with tearing up what was hopefully some fine work done by the Doc.

GF just reminded me that when the F250 got a stretcher ride, the tow truck guy stuck his rollback in the yard. I had him drop the truck where his was stuck. I drove it to the barn and his became light enough to get unstuck by itself. I thought I was gonna have to pull him for a second.

[STINEY]

If any of you do this - stop it now.

Eerrr....I'll be first to step up as guilty, counsellor. Although I have to back that by saying I got away with the infraction for over 120,000 miles, probably due to the judicious use of old garden hose as a buffer material.

Where did you come up with Red Hard line? Got a CaseIH dealership near by?