Converting OB to Electric Start, 3.5hp 4ST

[nimblemotors]

Well I suggest an electric outboard...but if you search the archives,
someone described a setup made for his wife that used an elastic band that assisted the pulling force making it much easier to pull the cord.

[Sundae Driver]

Hello,

Converting to electric start would difficult but there are other ways to start a motor. There are some options that use a battery for external starters; in one case it means putting a nut somewhere on the starter system in a place that was designed to carry the spinning loads to the motor.

External pneumatic engine starters as well as battery powered external electric starters do work. I once used the electric version to start a jet engine drag racer (that is still the highlight of the most stupid and scary things that I have even done).

I am answering your question to share that an electric starter conversion can be done but I seriously caution against doing it and certainly would not advise altering a boat motor unless it was already configured to accept the changes.

If unpersuaded, here are links to examples of how external starter systems work.

This is one for small things like a motorbike.
See the URL below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s-nrtiqoiA

This version works on high horsepower race cars as well. See this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al6Yz3Nv7dY

Kindest,

Sundae

[Ocean Girl]

Thanks. The dang motor stranded me with an outgoing tide today. So hubby is tearing it apart to see why it won't start on one easy pull. If not he will buy an OB with electric start for me :-) spoils me rotten!!
Thanks for all the input
Erika

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Thanks. The dang motor stranded me with an outgoing tide today. So hubby is tearing it apart to see why it won't start on one easy pull. If not he will buy an OB with electric start for me :-) spoils me rotten!!
Thanks for all the input
Erika

A very sensible approach to the problem! And good on him, BTW.

I reckon that the Milwaukee would easily start a large outboard, let alone a tiny one. But they are pretty heavy, not waterproof at all, and would be a PITA to carry in the dink, or secure from theft when leaving the dink.

Meanwhile, I hope that your recovery continues to be speedy and complete, and that soon you can rip the handle off the pull cord!

Cheers,

Jim

[GILow]

I used to have a lawn mower with a kind of wind up spring start. You flipped open the handle on top of the motor, slowly wound the handle around about three our four turns which wound the spring up. Then you flipped the handle closed again which released the spring and spun the motor. It was brilliant. In physics terms it allowed you to slowly store a great deal of potential mechanical energy and the release it in a short powerful burst. It appears the OP will solve this the easy way but anyone inclined to tinker might find this a worthy concept to pursue.

Matt


P.S. My first thought when I read the question was "oh no, another battery to lug around!" So I do reckon the spring idea has merit.

[Mirage Gecko]

Originally Posted by GILow

I used to have a lawn mower with a kind of wind up spring start. You flipped open the handle on top of the motor, slowly wound the handle around about three our four turns which wound the spring up. Then you flipped the handle closed again which released the spring and spun the motor. It was brilliant. In physics terms it allowed you to slowly store a great deal of potential mechanical energy and the release it in a short powerful burst. It appears the OP will solve this the easy way but anyone inclined to tinker might find this a worthy concept to pursue.

Matt


P.S. My first thought when I read the question was "oh no, another battery to lug around!" So I do reckon the spring idea has merit.

I remember those lawn mowers.Would swap my hard to start Rover quikstart in a flash but haven't seen one for years.Would be great for an outboard for those of us with the weight and strength but crook shoulders.
Chris

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Mirage Gecko

I remember those lawn mowers.Would swap my hard to start Rover quikstart in a flash but haven't seen one for years.Would be great for an outboard for those of us with the weight and strength but crook shoulders.
Chris

I wish I could remember which mower it was, a few have passed through my life, all were found abandoned by the side of the road, so their life spans have not been great.

There are a few adverts on Fleebay for "recoil starter" assemblies, they seem slightly different in their method of loading up the spring but appear to work on the same principal of storing a lot of potential energy and releasing it suddenly.

Edit: Nope, scrap that, totally different mechanism, just like a normal outboard starter, the spring just winds the cord back.


Matt

[GILow]

Here's the little beastie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYgu4FUm8CM

(Spoiler alert, he manages to start it at 4:20)


I must have had the luxury model, the act of closing the handle released the spring on mine, his model has some kind of catch to release separately.

Matt

[Mirage Gecko]

That's definately the Belmont model I must have had the Brougham