QUESTION
Could you tell me how many KW's your high torque starter motor is?
I am trying to work out how much it will draw so I can order a new battery cable for my Lotus Elan +2.
M.M. - Sydney, New south Wales
ANSWER
The new upgraded high torque starter motor is rated at 1.4Kw
The starter motor has a theoretical current draw of 116 Amps
For the starter motor and the rest of the electrical system to function reliably, the following multi-strand copper cable should be installed.
Battery cable specifications are as follows -
492/0.032 with a cross-sectional area of 39mm
This gives an effective copper conductor diameter of 7mm
Outside diameter with insulation approximately 12mm
Continuous current rating of 210 Amps
Whilst the current capability is significantly more than what the starter motor will draw, there are a number of other factors that influence the cable size.
As the battery is mounted in the boot, the voltage drop down the cable (as well as the chassis) needs to be considered.
From experience it is advantageous to run a seperate earth cable underneath the Lotus Elan chassis - from the boot earth connection to the starter motor fixing bolt (to eliminate any potential volt drop through the chassis).
The battery positive cable and earth cable terminations should be soldered (NOT CRIMPED) and then heat-shrink sleeve should be applied to enclose the soldered joints.
The heat-shrink sleeve excludes moisture, dirt, grease etc from entering the exposed copper cable ends.
From experience the most convenient route is to fasten the external earth cable along the chassis (in the recess channel, drivers-side) with metal P-clips
The battery earth connection is made through the rear chassis tray bolt which is 3/8"UNC
As the starter motor fixing bolt is the same size, solder a 3/8" lug at both ends of the earth cable.
The starter motor will also draw a much larger current on initial operation until such time the engine rotates at 350 rpm or more.
If you have the funds, then Oxygen free copper cable with a thinner diameter but higher conductor count is highly recommended.
This type of cable is a higher quality and a lot more flexible.
Copyright © 2013 Lotus Marques
Could you tell me how many KW's your high torque starter motor is?
I am trying to work out how much it will draw so I can order a new battery cable for my Lotus Elan +2.
M.M. - Sydney, New south Wales
ANSWER
The new upgraded high torque starter motor is rated at 1.4Kw
The starter motor has a theoretical current draw of 116 Amps
For the starter motor and the rest of the electrical system to function reliably, the following multi-strand copper cable should be installed.
Battery cable specifications are as follows -
492/0.032 with a cross-sectional area of 39mm
This gives an effective copper conductor diameter of 7mm
Outside diameter with insulation approximately 12mm
Continuous current rating of 210 Amps
Whilst the current capability is significantly more than what the starter motor will draw, there are a number of other factors that influence the cable size.
As the battery is mounted in the boot, the voltage drop down the cable (as well as the chassis) needs to be considered.
From experience it is advantageous to run a seperate earth cable underneath the Lotus Elan chassis - from the boot earth connection to the starter motor fixing bolt (to eliminate any potential volt drop through the chassis).
The battery positive cable and earth cable terminations should be soldered (NOT CRIMPED) and then heat-shrink sleeve should be applied to enclose the soldered joints.
The heat-shrink sleeve excludes moisture, dirt, grease etc from entering the exposed copper cable ends.
From experience the most convenient route is to fasten the external earth cable along the chassis (in the recess channel, drivers-side) with metal P-clips
The battery earth connection is made through the rear chassis tray bolt which is 3/8"UNC
As the starter motor fixing bolt is the same size, solder a 3/8" lug at both ends of the earth cable.
The starter motor will also draw a much larger current on initial operation until such time the engine rotates at 350 rpm or more.
If you have the funds, then Oxygen free copper cable with a thinner diameter but higher conductor count is highly recommended.
This type of cable is a higher quality and a lot more flexible.
Copyright © 2013 Lotus Marques