Unimog cold start

[Summiitt]

Do the unimogs have any sort of cold start aids? Yesterday she took a bit to start which is a worry as it's not even cold down here yet..6. Degrees..it had new battery's put into it but to me they look too small for 24v system.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The ex Mil landies with radio are fitted for 24V. Maybe a quick flick through their Forum for a Techy?
Blknight may know off the top of his head how many cca's are required--

maybe?
http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/maintenance-help/22724-starting-unimog-cold.html

[Sitec]

The Merc 1617's we ran in Africa were always slow to start from cold, and 6 deg is getting down there with older lower compression 6 pots. Neuss built International engines are the same. From memory the euro spec Mercs had a grid heater fitted, but I would think your best bet would be a thermostat out of a Masey, or International tractor. BareCo or Bepco for these. :)

[Blknight.aus]

2x 12V 380CCa batteries comes to mind with a 55AH reserve.

I have squeezed N70's in there for Higher CCA and RC (or more of either depending on the flavor of N70)

For cold starting assistance theres a void space over near the aircleaner, tarp the grill only and fit a ~300w 240v heater in that hole, plug it in about an hour before you want to start.

IF its in a garaged environment put a 500W workight on he floor on a pedestal that puts it as close as is convenient for you between the diff and bash plate. Stick it on a timer that will turn it on about 45 minutes before you go for a start, you dont have to put the tarp on the grill but that helps even more.

The best thing you can do is fit a webasto style heater and an auxilary 12V system to drive it (use a 10A 24-12v dc-dc charger to maintain an N70) just be wary that once you fit a 12V system you will start to try and use more 12V gear because of its availability if you plan on doing this then upsize the DC DC charger.

I always had the plan of fitting a small generator behind the cab and routing the exhaust around the engine bay then using the generator to power electrical heaters as well as using the exhaust heat.

Fair warning...

if you are working in near or below zero temps go easy on the gear shifts for at least the first K or so and the brakes for the first 50KM. The box for lube reasons and the brakes as if you've got moisture in the lines the rapid depressuirsation of the brake reservoirs can cause enough temperature drop to freeze the water in them locking them up. This means any of or combination of locked on, dragging and stuck off brakes..

The handbrake operates the same pads as the main brakes but with a much simpler air system and you can ride them on if you need to if I doubt flick the parkbrake on and steer towards the skid or downslope.

[Summiitt]

Thanks dave, looks like a block heater is the way to go..we regularly drop below minus 7 here...most of my trucks only have issues with the air system in cold weather if guys forget to drain the air tanks.. Otherwise we have very few issues...

[Blknight.aus]

dont forget that if you're putting a block heater in to add a heater blanket for the batteries, they're not in the engine bay so they wont get any benefit from the radiated heat off the block.

[460cixy]

Wow what do they do when it actually gets cold?

[Blknight.aus]

Wow what do they do when it actually gets cold?
Not start*

*based on my limited experience of the Australian ones in proper cold