Maxwell Start Module

[JimT]

(08-02-2023 )pgls651 Wrote:  I had the maxwell esm 2+ years ago, purchased from amazon about $700. it worked great for a while, nice clean start ups and in cold weather. Then I parked the truck for a bit and the f thing was totally dead. Wasn't accepting charge from batteries. Conclusion is that despite claims of durability they are electrically sensitive I think. Anyhow, Im now on 4 AGM duracells from sams club, about $200 each. Pricey but high cca and hold charge pretty well, and so far better than any system Ive had. Haven't heard of skeleton tech but after maxwell, plus their lack of support and business viability, its a risk.

I bought mine off Amazon too, then it sat in the box for almost a year before I got around to installing it. worked perfect from install right up to the point of failure. As to what caused the failure I can only speculate and won't waste anyone's time with it. The one thing I do know is that bumps and potholes have been brutal around PA/NY/CT/MA lately, especially in all the construction zones. So if it's not a big stretch to think that might have contributed to it, especially since the same roads blew out 2 front shocks (seal leaking oil) in the past month. I've been going through front shocks every 12-18 months for the past 3 years now that I've settled into a local/regional routine.

As for this other ESM, well that's why I posted, to see if anyone has any knowledge or experience with it. Supposedly they're pretty well established in Europe, but all I know about them comes from internet sites that all seem to have been reporting on the same press release earlier this year. And we all know just how trustworthy the internet is...

I do miss the faster starting that came from the ESM and the slightly different sound from the starter. On the flip side, this Mitsubishi PC1479 starter and the Prestolite Leece Neville BLP4002H 325 alternator have been fantastic. Installed them both the same time as the ESM. The alternator is marketed as Idle Pro so it will increase the output to match the demand while your idling. What this means is I can run the microwave OR coffee pod brewer, each pulling about 1.1kW according to my inverter, and the voltage reading will stay steady around 14 volts. My old alternator couldn't do that unless I jacked up the engine rpm. It should help prolong the effective life of my batteries.

In other news I've gotten really good and fast at replacing my fan clutch. Just replaced my fan clutch for the 3rd time in 2 years. I'd be concerned about a bigger issue if it wasn't for the fact that all 3 failed for different reasons. All K32/Kysor style rear air. The first one blew the air seal. It was pretty old, couldn't tell which brand it was. 1st replacement was Borg Warner, that only lasted a month (I've since read that they had a lot of problems with those clutches, often right out of the box. Used some of their parts on my dodge, never did like that brand). Right from day one it was leaking some kind of oil all over the fan blades. Don't remember exactly what failed but i do remember the o-ring on the air connection was destroyed and no, I was very careful when I greased and installed it. 2nd replacement was Horton K32. It was great until heavy AC usage and high engine RPM wore down the friction material. Would have just rebuilt it but no one locally had the kit in stock and I didn't want to wait or cancel any loads so I just replaced it instead. Figure I can rebuild the old one when I have some free time and keep it as a spare. -- yes, the AC calls for fan operation a lot when driving under about 40-45mph and the clutch complains when it engages at 1700 and 1800 rpm. The pressure sensor got replaced a year ago and then I filled the system myself so I probably screwed that part up somehow. Not gonna screw around with it right now, the system still blows nice and cold and the compressor shows signs of faint oil leak around the front. Hot season is almost over for me so I'll wait until next spring and maybe replace the compressor and let some shop fill the system with their fancy machine instead of myself.

Anyway, now that I've thoroughly hijacked my own thread with off-topic blabbering, I'll run off to my latest hobby, finally learning to play guitar at 41. I've only had the guitars for 20 years, so now seems like the perfect time.