Sears Craftsman GT3000 Battery

[davbell25413]

917.275031
23hp vtwin Kolher command pro

Is anybody using a battery that has more than 300 amps on this tractor setup or similar setup to it? Bought a 300 amp new back in the summer. When we had all that snow this earlier this month it started up fine. Went to start it a few days later when temperatures were in the 20's had to use jump pack cause battery wasnt turning engine fast enough to start. Today I went to start it in 50 degree weather and it started right up. Starting wonder if I should have bought the 450 amp Duralast gold battery from AZ for $50. Would I shorten life on the stater if I did go to 450amp battery?

All connections are tight.

[motorhead64]

The 450 amp battery has to do with its "cold cranking amps." It will not shorten the life of your starter....in fact, it may lengthen it, since it will start your engine more effectively with its greater reserve cranking ability. MH

[StarTech]

Quoted from the service manual>
A 12-volt battery with 400 cold cranking amps (cca) is generally recommended for starting in all conditions. A smaller capacity battery is often sufficient if an
application is started only in warmer temperatures. Actual cold cranking requirement depends on engine size, application, and starting temperatures. Cranking requirements increase as temperatures decrease and battery capacity shrinks. Refer to equipment's operating instructions for specific battery requirements.
End Quote<

With that said as the starter wears the brushes and as commutator contacts wear and glaze over; the required voltage to overcome these resistances is higher. With this mind it is possible that the starter is needing some servicing; just depends on the age and usage level of the starter.Be carefully of used Kohler starters as a single cylinder version can fit some twin cylinders and work but will go bad a lot quicker.

I ran into this last year where the previous tech had installed a starter from a single cylinder 15hp on a 23HP twin. When I pulled the starter apart the brushes were fired and the commutator contacts were heavy glazed. This particular engine had a 350 CCA @32F and would not even start in 40F weather. After installing the correct starter it would start fine in 30-35F weather with the same battery.

[davbell25413]

The 450 amp battery has to do with its "cold cranking amps." It will not shorten the life of your starter....in fact, it may lengthen it, since it will start your engine more effectively with its greater reserve cranking ability. MH

I was referring to the stator/alternator not starter. Thanks for the info.

[davbell25413]

Quoted from the service manual>
A 12-volt battery with 400 cold cranking amps (cca) is generally recommended for starting in all conditions. A smaller capacity battery is often sufficient if an
application is started only in warmer temperatures. Actual cold cranking requirement depends on engine size, application, and starting temperatures. Cranking requirements increase as temperatures decrease and battery capacity shrinks. Refer to equipment's operating instructions for specific battery requirements.
End Quote<

With that said as the starter wears the brushes and as commutator contacts wear and glaze over; the required voltage to overcome these resistances is higher. With this mind it is possible that the starter is needing some servicing; just depends on the age and usage level of the starter.Be carefully of used Kohler starters as a single cylinder version can fit some twin cylinders and work but will go bad a lot quicker.

I ran into this last year where the previous tech had installed a starter from a single cylinder 15hp on a 23HP twin. When I pulled the starter apart the brushes were fired and the commutator contacts were heavy glazed. This particular engine had a 350 CCA @32F and would not even start in 40F weather. After installing the correct starter it would start fine in 30-35F weather with the same battery.

If I have to service the starter I'll probably just put new set brushes on it.

[StarTech]

If I have to service the starter I'll probably just put new set brushes on it.

If you do so a light sanding of the commutator contacts would also be in order then to remove the glaze.

[Skywatcher]

Would I shorten life on the stater if I did go to 450amp battery?

Hi Dave

I suspect most readers (including myself) saw "stater" as a typo on starter, as opposed to a misspell of stator. The answer is no, the voltage regulator controls how much load is put on the stator or alternator windings. If this unit has an electric clutch, the clutch is going to draw more from the charging circuit than the battery ever will, unless you have an internal short in the battery. If anything, the higher amperage battery will be easier on the system as it will use less amp/seconds to get the engine started, therefore will require less charging time to bring back to full charge. Hope this helps and merry Christmas,

Sky

[davbell25413]

Would I shorten life on the stater if I did go to 450amp battery?

Hi Dave

I suspect most readers (including myself) saw "stater" as a typo on starter, as opposed to a misspell of stator. The answer is no, the voltage regulator controls how much load is put on the stator or alternator windings. If this unit has an electric clutch, the clutch is going to draw more from the charging circuit than the battery ever will, unless you have an internal short in the battery. If anything, the higher amperage battery will be easier on the system as it will use less amp/seconds to get the engine started, therefore will require less charging time to bring back to full charge. Hope this helps and merry Christmas,

Sky

OK, Thanks. I heard or someone told me if the amps on the battery were too high that it would work the stator harder and shorten the life.

[bobodu]

When was the last time the valve lash was checked?

[davbell25413]

When was the last time the valve lash was checked?

I havent checked it since buying this back in May.