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All T-34s had batteries and TWO electrical starter motors, which were the primary method of starting the tank.
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I have read accounts that disagree with that. Will see if I can find some source material.
This looks to clear it up and yes it makes full sense for a battery and generator as you need that for hotel power. It may be the two starters is misconstrues with the generator.
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The engine can be started by an electric starter or by compressed air. The electric starter is fitted to the gearbox. An air distributor is attached to the front part of the engine for compressed air starting. From the air distributor compressed air is conveyed trough a steel tube to the starting valves fit too. inside the cylinder head.
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The electric generator is carried on a cradle cast into the side of the crankcase top half and is driven by a slipping clutch.
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That said, I can assure you, a WWII era diesel engine, let alone a Russian built, is not going to start on battery below 30 deg and even that could be marginal. I believe the Air Start was the main starter. The air tanks were filled from external compressor rig. Trust me, for that era, air start clearly was the better way to go. Summer at 60 deg, yea the electric started probably was sufficient. Keep in mind, diesel Fuel Injection systems require a great deal of precision, I don't believe the Russians had that nailed. If Cat could not, the Russian definitively could not. Batteries drop off hugely at sub zero temps and the WWII era were far less capable.
Cat went with Pony engines for a long time in that era as they were low cost, reliable and served heat functions. The D-7 that built the Alcan was pony engine start. Keep in mind the pony was a gasoline engine and easy to start in all conditions. You got it going (and some did have electric start but tended to rope pull) then you could get the main going, though at sub zero temps it would take a while.
From what I have gathered, the Russian diesel was a copy of an Italian aircraft diesel (or intended for Aircraft, I don't think it was used for that role)
I still suspect they ran high idle and no shutdown in sub zero temps.