Temperature range for glow plugs to be active on NH 54D

[W8BYA]

I have a 54d. I can start mine and let you know how long it takes.

Hi there. You would be my hero ! Thank you very much for running a few tests for me. If you could document what the outside temp roughly is, if the glow plugs came on and how long it cranked before it started up that would be super. Also, once the tractor has been running for say 5-10 minutes and is warmed up see how long it takes before it starts up. Sure appreciate the feedback as there are so few 46D & 54D owners out there..

 

[Newtocvt]

Sorry it took so long but my testing is done. My 54d lives in an unheated shed the temp was 34F in the shed. I always keep a battery maintainer on it and it hadn't been started in at least a month(my bad I need to use it more). The glow plug light was on for 5 seconds, I then started it and it took about 4 seconds to start. I warmed it up and shut it down. The glow plugs light went off a split second after all the other dash lights. Basically no time for the glow plugs. The warm start seemed identical time to the cold start. About 4 seconds.

 

[W8BYA]

Sorry it took so long but my testing is done. My 54d lives in an unheated shed the temp was 34F in the shed. I always keep a battery maintainer on it and it hadn't been started in at least a month(my bad I need to use it more). The glow plug light was on for 5 seconds, I then started it and it took about 4 seconds to start. I warmed it up and shut it down. The glow plugs light went off a split second after all the other dash lights. Basically no time for the glow plugs. The warm start seemed identical time to the cold start. About 4 seconds.

No problem at all about needing some time. Thank you for running that test. May I ask if I could shoot you an e-mail or two? I would like to talk to you about your tractor a little bit and don't want to bore everyone else to death. Please feel free to send me an e-mail at w8bya at mchsi dot com

Thank you again !

 

[Texasmark]

Thank you for your input. The console LCD shows that the battery is about 12.6 VDC which is where it should be when the alternator is not charging it and the engine cranks at a steady, quick and strong rate so I suspect the battery is ok. I have not formally load tested it however. I am just a little bugged by the long crank times regardless of temperature even when it is warm outside. Have seen countless videos and have demo'ed tons of diesels where, like yours they just fire up in 1-2 seconds like a gas engine. Will have to talk more with my NH service guy about this.

Just today I was reading up on my Thermostart device for my 3910 and the temperature where the Ford manuals talk about needing starting assistance is 40F. I don't know about your 54D. This was just a point of reference I observed.

 

[W8BYA]

Just today I was reading up on my Thermostart device for my 3910 and the temperature where the Ford manuals talk about needing starting assistance is 40F. I don't know about your 54D. This was just a point of reference I observed.

Hi there and thank you for looking into that for me. I was able to get some internal NH tech notes on the subject that supposedly were applicable to my model and several others......they stated that 2 conditions had to be met before the plugs would even come on. If I recall he said they monitor the engine radiator temperature and the air intake temperature and one needed to be at least down to 50F (of close to that) AND the other had to be 32F or lower. If either one of those conditions were not met then the plugs would not come on. BUT, I have already proved that wrong as I have now seen my plug indicator come on for several seconds when it was about 45 F outside and the tractor basking in the sun. So I think they best revise their list of tractors that bulletin applies to. TU again.