[Milsurplus] A generator question...

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 24 Oct 2017 at 22:14, James Whartenby wrote:

> Do a Google search for "replacing pull starter with electric starer"; there are 
> several YouTube videos that show how it can be done.  No sense reinventing the 
> wheel!  It can be as simple as using a battery powered drill and a 7/8 inch socket!
> Jim

I looked all those up, Jim. In fact, I spent a couple of days looking at those and more.

The socket idea is not good since the socket can hang up on the nut which is hanging out of 
the front of the engine, and eventually get spit out at high velocity. In fact, one of those 
youtubes showed just that happening.

One other person used a "T" wrench with the "T" cut off. Using that one, at least the socket 
wouldn't get hung up, but it has other problems.

The only one of those kind that looked usable was one in which a spare recoil mechanism 
was used with an electric drill. That only required a 2" hole be cut into the old recoil plate.

But THAT one is also not handy since to use it (as with the others), I would have to go out to 
the generator, carrying the drill, operate on the generator, then carry it back inside.

Not fun at 30 below and knee deep snow.

The best solution is, of course, to mount a starter motor on the engine. But, if your engine 
doesn't have a way to install one, then motoring the generator is the next best. Besides, if it 
worked satisfactorily for the military, it will work satisfactorily for me.

Ken W7EKB

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