Hello All,
I have a question regarding what type of engine starter is used on the 12-251 of the MLW M420. On Alcos with AC alternators, such as the C430 and C630, an air starter was used and it appears that MLW continued this practice on their M630 and M636 locomotives. This explains the presence of the third air tank on these locomotives.
The references I've seen state that the M420 uses a GE GTA-17 AC alternator but they make no mention what type of starter it uses. Since there isn't a third air tank on the M420 I would say that it uses an electric starter. My question is whether it is like the arrangement that GE uses on their AC locomotives where the auxiliary generator and field exciter act as starter motors or did MLW do something different?
Thanks.
I have a question regarding what type of engine starter is used on the 12-251 of the MLW M420. On Alcos with AC alternators, such as the C430 and C630, an air starter was used and it appears that MLW continued this practice on their M630 and M636 locomotives. This explains the presence of the third air tank on these locomotives.
The references I've seen state that the M420 uses a GE GTA-17 AC alternator but they make no mention what type of starter it uses. Since there isn't a third air tank on the M420 I would say that it uses an electric starter. My question is whether it is like the arrangement that GE uses on their AC locomotives where the auxiliary generator and field exciter act as starter motors or did MLW do something different?
Thanks.