🔍 Key Concepts

• Typical duty cycle and heat buildup in electric starter motors • Why manufacturers limit continuous cranking time on diesel engines • What happens to windings and insulation when a motor overheats

💭 Think About

• Think about how much current a starter motor draws and whether it is designed for long, continuous use or short bursts. • Compare what seems like a realistic cranking time to start a diesel engine versus a time that would be more for emergency or unrealistic continuous use. • Ask yourself which choices would most likely cause excessive heating in the starter’s electrical windings if used continuously.

✅ Before You Answer

• Consider which options represent short, intermittent cranking versus extended, continuous operation. • Eliminate any choice that suggests a starter can be run indefinitely without overheating. • Think about what most engine manuals specify as the maximum recommended cranking time before you must let the starter cool.