[AT] Adding electric start

[ATIS]

Thanks Charlie,

Denise is pretty good with pull start engines, but this engine has a lot of rotating mass since there is an impeller and a flywheel.   She just can't get it up to speed about half the time.   She says the half that fails occurs when I'm gone. (-; 

The design includes a vertical discharge which means some debris may fall into the impeller area when you shut it off.   Occasionally you have to pull through that too.   I think that is the majority of her issue actually.

As for the drill idea.  I did not get to check it out tonight, but I will within a day or two.

Thanks again!

Spencer Yost

> On Dec 17, 2015, at 11:31 PM, Charlie V <1cdevill at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Just a thought to pass on to you on this subject, FWIW.  Last year it came
> up with my little sister (over 65 years old, lives alone, and also quite
> independent. Five feet tall and not much over 100 lbs, but athletic).  She
> sharee with me that she had always had difficulty with pulling ropes on all
> small engines.  I was pretty sure I knew the problem right away as I have
> seen it before.  Many folks yank the rope hard and fast.  Not very
> effective.  Via e-mail I politely schooled her (being very careful not to
> insinuate she was wrong or anything like that) about pulling gently until
> you feel the recoil ratchet engage.   If the rope is then out like a foot,
> let it back in and re-engage to ratchet so pull handle is closer up to
> engine.  Now give it a long, firm, steady pull to rotate and hopefully
> start the engine.  Getting full benefit of the length of rope for as much
> engine turn as possible is key to good starting.  A firm stroke is needed
> but not super fast with most modern small engines.  Just do not yank the
> rope past the end of it's outboard travel if you are a big strong person.
> 
> Back to my sister:  She still has to think pull starting thru each time she
> does it. but is over being intimidated by the job and is getting all her
> stuff going fine now.  I think her largest is 3 1/2 of 4 HP but she is
> getting the job done and is thankful for the instruction.
> 
> Not saying this is the problem at your house, but just in case, 15 minutes
> of pull starting class would be much cheaper  than an electric start
> conversion.
> 
> Charlie V.
> 
>> On Wed, Dec 16, 2015 at 11:33 PM, ATIS <yostsw at atis.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Not exactly antique, but I figured the collective wisdom of the group may
>> be able to help me. I have a 5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine on my leaf
>> vacuum.  My wife just can't pull hard enough to get the speed necessary to
>> start. I can start it with no problem but my wife just isn't quite strong
>> enough. Adding electric start seems to be an option for certain models, I
>> was wondering if anyone has had experience adding electric start to these
>> engines.  Internet research seems to be spotty and difficult to follow on
>> the subject. Especially as it pertains to my specific engine.
>> 
>> I have the Intek 900 model series 5HP  (model 1220 12 0140 B8 to be exact).
>> 
>> PS: my wife appreciates being independent, and really resents having to
>> wait on me to start the vacuum. She will actually appreciate any answers
>> more than I will. :-)
>> 
>> Spencer Yost
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