Cold Starting

[stewartb]

I've had to start my Pro in cold temps during the past two weekends. The first was after extended storage with temps around -18*F and then this weekend we awoke to -40*F on Sunday morning. It fired right up in -25*F on Friday night, by the way. In the first case I added a battery charger when the sled failed to fire. Doing so allowed the starter to spin the engine faster and it fired right up. After extended storage I wasn't too concerned with a slightly weak battery. Yesterday in the -40 temps the starter again was turning but not at full speed and it was clear the cranking time would be limited. No surprise with such a cold battery. Once again I added a charger and once again the engine fired right up with no pre-heating. All the talk about cold starting 4 strokes seems to have missed that. My sled starts fine as long as I can spin it fast with the starter. Heat may also help achieve that end but a battery charger is faster. I thought it was interesting.

Stewart

 

[WANN4STROKE]

Did you get caught in Skwentna? My buddy was out there with his wife. Decided to fly home. Didn't want to ride the -50 on the Yentna.

David

 

[stewartb]

I thought about sending wife and dog home on a plane but we ended up riding out. I can't remember the last time I made the ride without seeing another person on the river. Oh, yes I can, that would be Friday night!

 

[WANN4STROKE]

If you are up to Shell Lake and see a bunch of yammis at the Lodge-probably us. There for Iditarod and wood cutting and a few trips in between.

David