Compressed-air starters in Soviet tanks

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Imad
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Compressed-air starters in Soviet tanks

#1

Post by Imad » 08 Apr 2014, 02:18

Hello

I was intrigued to learn that the T-34 had a compressed-air starter that enabled the engine to work in minus 30 degree weather outside Moscow in '41 when German vehicles were unable to function because their oil and lubricants would just freeze.

I was curious to know if other Red Army tanks besides the T-34 had this type of starter. It also seems odd the Germans would not have try to fit something similar after '41.

Any thoughts?

ROLAND1369
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Re: Compressed-air starters in Soviet tanks

#2

Post by ROLAND1369 » 08 Apr 2014, 04:32

While the compressed air starter is a good idea for extreme cold weather, it has no effect on frozen lubricants. The real problen is that in extreme cold weather the electrical batteries loose power and become less effective while the increasing viscosity of the oil increases the difficulty of turing the engine. The oil problem can be defeated by pouring an amount of gasoline in the crankcase prior to shutdown to dilute the oil{covered in US Army Cold Weather Manuals) or the use of a crankcase heater. Piston engined aircraft did this when flying trough clouds in the Arctic by going to Full Rich on the fuel mixture. The compressed air starter may turn over the engine but if the oil is too thick inadequate lubrication will occur and bearing or ring failure are still likely. A preheater is necessary to enable engines in extreme cold weather to start, diesels have Glo plugs to pre heat the air, gasoline engines generally do not. Note that contrary to popular belief the german tank engines were gasoline powered. All of this was known as most large Diesels already used a compressed air starting system. The germans used a weapon system designed for western Europe and troops trained for operating and maintaining vehicles that had little to no knowledge of or belief that they would be fighting in the Russian winter.


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Imad
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Re: Compressed-air starters in Soviet tanks

#3

Post by Imad » 09 Apr 2014, 01:28

Thanks Roland that was very informative.

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ViKinG
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Re: Compressed-air starters in Soviet tanks

#4

Post by ViKinG » 27 Apr 2014, 19:06

I've heard that Russian tanks like the T-34 also had a can of Ether attached to the vehicle for cold weather starting. This would greatly help in sub zero temperatures. LIke you said they have glow plugs or air intake pre heaters (like today's diesels) but a can of Ether - although damaging in the long run would provide that immediate spark/ignition on start-up. Can anybody confirm this??


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