Friend of mine asked me today to check my amp guage in the am on first start up. He says( and his friend also) that on first start up, needle doesn't go past 11 amps for 30 seconds. Then it is normal. I will check tomorrow on my Duramax. Is this normal?


mike

Normal. I see it every day.

depends on whether the seat warmer is onhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

The DMax has both glow plugs and an intake air heater. If the "Wait to Start" light has come on, there is a glow and air heater cycle in progress for several seconds before volts raise to normal levels.

Thanks Guys.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Our trucks do not come with a Ampmeter, we have a Voltmeter. The voltage is low at Startup, as mentioned above, because the high current draw from the Glow Plug Heaters and the Air Intake Heater on a cold start, overload the electrical system, and delay charging at 15V. A stock 105A alternator only puts out 46A at idle, and the 130A puts out only 67A. The Glow Plugs and Air Intake Heaters are fed off a 175A fuse, so you know they're drawing some serious amps. I heard somewhere, (and can't confirm), that our alternator, which is controlled by the ECM, has a time delay, before it is allowed to charge. Can't remember if any reason was givin.

I checked mine this morning and yes it does the same thing.

I use my voltmeter as my "cold start" indicator. I make sure all accessories are switched off, step on the e-brake to disable the daytime running lamps, turn on the ignition and when the "wait to start" lamp to goes out - crank 'er up. After the engine is running, I turn on the electric seat heater, pop the e-brake, turn on the radio and heater fan and let her idle until the volts show the glow cycle is over before engaging gear and driving away.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Your normal...


I don't turn anything on (besides the lights and fan which are always on) until the voltmeter runs at normal. Why add additional load on an already overloaded system. I back out of the garage at an idle just after starting to avoid making the whole garage have that lovely smell. (I like it, wife and dogs don't appreciate it... Dogs stay in the garage during the day...)


MN

Your normal...


Why add additional load on an already overloaded system.





I don't consider the system "overloaded" by any means. Just because the glow circuit is drawing some power, as long as the engine is running and the alternator is putting out power it is far far from "overloaded." If the seat heater, the radio, the DRLs and the glow cycle running in unison is "overloaded" there's a big problem - it's a normal load and no sweat on the system.

When I go to start in AM, I turn key to engage glow plugs, then very rapidly hit the dome over ride switch 4 times to kill the DRL's. I do not use e-brake as it is very cold this year and do not want it to freeze. Yes, the volt meter is low for the 1st few minutes. I let it get up befor I turn on seat heater and head out.

I/ve been noticing my 04 d/a (2000miles) LB7 doing the same thing at cold overnight start up, I usually press on the go pedal and get the r's up to about 1,000/1,200 and in about a minute or so the volt meter starts to rise to it's normal state, so far this truck has some awesome power & I still have yet to really push it, what a big difference from my 95 suburban 5.7/TBI, can't wait to see the difference this spring towing my 24' trailer&race car.Thanks