ford mini starter amperage draw

vector1 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2013, 05:12 PM

anybody know the amp draw of a ford mini starter for something like a sbf, there are no markings on the starter and i can't find it on the internet, and i am just looking to get an idea if i was to run a parallel type fuse in the battery cable. thanks.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vector1

anybody know the amp draw of a ford mini starter for something like a sbf, there are no markings on the starter and i can't find it on the internet, and i am just looking to get an idea if i was to run a parallel type fuse in the battery cable. thanks.

I have the old-style OEM FE starter, but I can tell you specifically what it draws. See: 300 amp X 12 volt Circuit breaker for a pic and details, but the long and the short of it is that it draws over 900 amps peak surge. Yep, 900 amps -- and over 200 on the constant crank.

Dwight · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2013, 07:43 PM

never hear of anyone fusing the battery / starter cable.
most of us install a shut off switch.

Dwight

vector1 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-14-2013, 01:33 AM

i have a switch, or had a switch. it was a pos longacre with the handle wabble and was only rated for 150 amps, so another is on the way. looking through a nice new electrical book and the guy wired two 200 amp resettable breakers in parallel prior to the switch so i was thinking about something like this, and wondering how many amps the starter does pull. the breakers also had valet mode, so you could disable everything from there also.

i figured allow for at least 250 amps, that is what one of the smaller advertised tilton starters was advertised at. 935 amp surge is a pretty good jolt.

olddog · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2013, 11:52 AM

The inrush current when the starter motor is first engaged is everything the battery can supply. If you have a 1000 amp battery it will pull all 1000 amp.

Once at steady state, turning the engine over, if it takes 5 Hp to spin the engine, it will pull over 300 amp. On a warm day, it may be less on cold day it can be much more.

The factory does not fuse the starter, for a reason. The battery is what limits the current. Your headed down a road of trying to improve something that needs no improvement. Your just going to cause yourself a heap of trouble for no good reason.

The switch you had was not up to the task. Either eliminate it or get one that is up to the task.