Eagles International Forum

Every time I look at that big air tank in my third bay, I wounder about the cost to change to Electric start. Those that have made the change, what did you need and estimate of cost. Was there any changes to the DDEC or wiring? Were there any regrets after making the change?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Art

Art,

My starter was already changed when I got my 20 so I can't help any with telling you the costs. What I can tell you is that if it were not already changed, it would be among my first upgrades!

I will still need to do a little work to my bus concerning the starter whenever I redo the dash area and add a key system. For whatever reason that I have not figured out yet, the bus will not start with the dash mounted switch. It will only start from the back. From the front, it will turn over a couple of times very slowly and that is it.

On my bus air starter is gone, air wipers are gone... Good riddance!

Art

When we bought the Eagle at NJT, I had them load an electric replacement starter for the bus in the bay so I would have it when they delivered the bus. The first thing I did when I recieved the Eagle was to replace the starter. I also removed the big air tank and all the air lines that were involved in the air start system. I do not have Luke's number handy but maybe somebody on the board could get you his number. The starter came with a wiring diagram, which fairly simple to install. You do not have to change anything in the DDEC II system. The wiring consisted of I think 3 wires which is included in the price of the starter. If I remeber correctly it was around $300.00 for the starter and wiring loom, but that was also 6 years ago. I have not once wanted to go back to the air start system. I hope this answers all your questions.

Duane

ST. Louis. MO
89 Eagle Model 20
6v92TA Allision HT 748 R

Art, there is a guy on Ebay that has MT39 Delco 12 volt starters for $149.00 new no rebuild that is the lightweight reduction starter that would work good for you and the price is right $180.00 with shipping good luck

Luvrbus,

Thanks for the lead. Do you know if that starter will bolt up to a 6V92TA? I will not have a starter, other than air, that I can take parts off of to make a new one fit. Does it turn the right direction? I'm ready to buy, unless you have heard something about these starters.
Art

I am following this thread because I have never heard of an air starter. Anyone care to enlighten those of us who "Don't Know"?

Paul,

The 119 New Jersey Transit Eagles were all equipped with an air starter as they specified. They had a 70 gallon air tank mounted in the third baggage bay for the starter only. This allowed them to be able to start the bus even if the batteries were dead. Also their towing vehicles were equipped with air compressors to be able to fill the air tank quickly so they could start the bus and get it off the side of the road in case of breakdown. I have several of these air starters that were removed from some of these buses, which will probably be tossed in the trash.

Dan

Thanks Dan for the information, I had no idea! Now I know!