Author Topic: Using car starter for small engine (Read 3869 times)

Norm · « **on:** August 29, 2003, 11:11:02 PM »

The starter and engine turn clockwise, if the starter turns counter-clockwise, then the starter is turned pulley downward and it is connected to the blade end.

When the starter motor is energized it automatically pivots to the left and tightens the belt, When the engine starts it pivots back to the right. a return spring keeps it in parked position while engine is running. I know this is a crude animation, but I guess you get the basic idea. Hope a few of you guys find this useful! It's a TurboCharged starter for a 3.5 even an 8 or 12 HP engine for that matter! Have Fun! (:>) Norm.

jubalearly · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2003, 04:49:29 PM »

That looks like a small automobile starter, what did it come off of? And how did you mount it to the engine? I'm not sure that pulley setup is practical on newer engines. And what voltage are you using? Finally, do you have that picture and the construction details on a web site? Unless I can figure out how to motor an automobile alternator, I might use that idea to start a small engine/auto alternator setup.

Norm · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2003, 04:58:51 PM »

Sorry I didn't catch your reply until today Your question is entitled to a more comprhensive answer than this, but I can't answer you today as time does not permit. I'll try to give you an answer to this tomorrow. thanks for your interest. Norm.

Norm · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2003, 05:19:01 AM »

I've just come up with an idea that will work for you. (1) Cut

a 12 inch diameter disk out of cardboard.(2) Cut a standard

bicycle chain to fit exactly or just slightly loose, if it is

loose, cut another disk slightly larger until you have one that

will fit inside the chainly snugly, now you have a template

that you can use to....(3) Cut a 1/4 inch plywood disk and (4)Fit

the chain around the disk, preferrably it shouldn't quite fit

take a hard rubber mallet and tap the edge of the chain into

the edge of the disk all the way around until you can connect

the chain link, you now have the middle section of your secondary

flywheel ....A Chain Gear (The small chain sprocket (

Briggs & Stratton that has chain drive for a self-propelled

mower will mesh quite nicely into the Chain Gear.(you can then use a regular Briggs & Stratton starter from an 8-12 hp. Briggs after you replace the starter gear with the small chain sproket)(4)Now cut

two more plywood disks 1/2 inch larger diameter than your first

plywood disk, these will be the top and bottom plates of your

secondary flywheel ...with the Chain Gear sandwiched in between

them (like an Oreo cookie). (5) Remove the blade and blade

clutch(the hub that the mower blade bolt onto) take the blade

hub centering it over the plywood disks marking the bolt holes

and drilling holes in the disks so this flywheel is bolted on

in place of the blade. I will be making this also so I'll have

pictures in a couple of days to show exactly how to do this

any questions just E-Mail me (peppysue@suite224.net) Norm.

Norm · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2003, 08:33:14 AM »

Here is a couple of pics to get you started the 12 inch diameter template was trimmed down about 1/8 inch for the 38 link chain to fit. Chain tool kit can be bought at Walmart for about $2.84, if you don't have one.(Remember to use standard chain, not multi-speed chain) from this template that you have made you can cut your plywood disk.

http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/titanic/664/index.htm .I will put this project with more pics as I progress.Norm.

BT Humble · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2003, 05:10:22 PM »

Why not use a motorcycle starter motor and chain? I can scan some diagrams from a service manual if anyone's interested.

BTH

zmoz · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2003, 09:13:48 PM »

Wow...very nice! BTH - diagrams of that would be great too!

Norm · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2003, 07:42:32 AM »

Right BTH: Whatever the individual person has handy in my case its an 8 or 12 Briggs starters,could be a car starter, motorcycle,outboard marine,etc. By all means go ahead and scan the diagrams. Have Fun.(:>) Norm.

BT Humble · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2003, 07:18:26 PM »

OK, here's a diagram of the starter motor and clutch assembly on a Kawasaki GPX250:

http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/236/GPX250starter.jpg

Sorry it isn't the clearest thing in the world, but basically most motorcycles use a small permanent magnet starter motor that has a built-in reduction gear to increase the torque. This then drives the crank via a chain and sprocket setup ("C" in the photo, "A" is the starter motor itself). The chain is permanently engaged, and a one-way clutch is used so that the starter motor isn't driven by the engine when it fires.

I'm thinking that for a lawnmower engine type of application a free-wheeling rear hub from a bicycle might be the way to go for this starter clutch, mainly because it would be cheap. ;-)

BTH

Norm · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2003, 08:55:14 PM »

Okay.Now it depends on one thing, if looking at the sprocket end of the starter, which way it turns as a lawnmower engine turns clockwise as for the one way clutch, the engine already has one...its the rewind starter clutch, simply bolt a sprocket to the reel that holds the windup rope. I suppose if the starter motor turns counter-clockwise you could put it upside down. Sounds like those starters have a built in reduction similar to Chrysler starters. Well anyhow this has helped me with the problem of providing electric start. I expect to have pictures of the setup in about a week. Keep posted and Have Fun! (:>) Norm.

Norm · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2003, 09:00:12 PM »

Should have changed the subject to the above...I guess.Norm

BT Humble · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2003, 10:36:15 PM »

It's a simple DC motor with 4 brushes - no biggie to rewire it so that it turns the other way.

BTH

Old F · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2003, 06:21:21 AM »

Norm

Just thinking out side the box here but what would happen if you made your plywood

gear say two foot in Dia.

And mounted it to the out put shaft of a VAWT and used it for stepping up a generator?

I don't know how efficient it would be but it is some thing to think about.

Old F

Norm · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2003, 07:20:19 PM »

Yes OldF, if you routed a bit of a groove in the edge so the rollers could turn free as they do in a chain drive it ought to be more efficient than a gear drive and just about as efficient as a chain drive. Yeah it is something to think about.How's the wind in your part of Ohio....it's almost non-existant here in NE Ohio. catch ya later...have fun! Norm.

Norm · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2003, 07:08:33 PM »

BTH: You were right on that part about it not being a biggie, had a starter motor for a 12HP Briggs, just had to put the brushes in the opposite holders and bingo turns in the opposite direction. Replaced the starter gear with a 6 tooth chain sprocket driving an 8 inch bicycle sproket that replaces the plastic reel that the rope wound up on. This ought to be big enough to start this 3HP Briggs. (Which answers the question that was posed by... Jubalearly? How do I put an electric starter on an engine that never had one?)

skippydh · « **Reply #15 on:** November 15, 2008, 03:01:56 PM »

This is what I have just done. Starter motor interfaced to Briggs.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=WNkpcZmxeHs

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