I'll bet an inverter would do it, you might look here: http://www.invertersrus.com/
I'm mister overkill, but the top of the line ones are over $400. you
could give them a call & see where the sweet spot is for your
application.
I have a little motor generator 12v in 120v out, that I use with an
electric chain saw, but that is old school.
There used to be a kit to put an electrical outlet on your vehicle
alternator for running power tools, but I haven't seen one since
battery powered tools became popular.
Let's start with what we know. The starter is made to plug in to any
120V outlet, which means it must draw less than 15 amps. I would bet
that it draws a lot less than that. Given that you can get 12volt
inverters that are 1500watts or more, means that it should work. I'd
start by measuring how many amps the starter draws. Or if you're
real lucky, maybe there is a rating label on it that you can find or
info in the manual, website, etc.
The magneto charging question leads me to believe that you want to
mount a battery and inverter to the snowblower. While in theory I
would think that it would work, that wouldn't seem to be the easiest
solution to me. Why not just use the inverter connected to the truck
to start it? Once started and warmed up, mine will re-start with one
easy pull of the recoil. It's the initial start with a cold engine at
20F that is harder.
Why not just have the snowblower fixed so it starts on one easy pull
like everyone elses? Mine is about the same size as what you describe,
and has the electric starter. I never use it. If you don;t have the
strength to pull start an 8.5 hp snowblower, you don't have the
strength needed to operate it safely, either.
I have a Yardman 8.5hp with 120 volt electric start Tecumseh. Why don't
you park it near an outlet? I have an extension cord out to my shed that
works great. It also starts equally well with the pull cord; one pull
and it starts. Maybe you need a tune up.
> I have a Yardman 8.5hp with 120 volt electric start Tecumseh. Why
> don't you park it near an outlet? I have an extension cord out to my
> shed that works great. It also starts equally well with the pull
> cord; one pull and it starts. Maybe you need a tune up.
Yeah, a really long extension cord that reaches to where all his customers
are.
Like others have said, get it fixed. I also have a 9 hp with the 120
electric start and pull start. It has a primer bulb that I push about
3-4 times, put the choke on full, flip the on/off to ON, then one EASY
pull and it is running. Snow blowers are built to start in cold
weather ( rich fuel settings, heavier flywheel, igniton timings, valve
timing and etc). I think it is operator error or the snow blower needs
repaired. Fixing it would be cheaper than putting in a battery,
starter switch and the labor to do it, if it can be done.
About the converter..........again what would it cost as compared to
the cost of getting the blower fixed? If it would work at all.
Hank
Why not replace the 120V motor with a 12V motor. I have both types in
my scrap motor bin and they both mount identically.
> A friend who does snow has a Sears 8.5hp 27" 2 stage snowblower with
> 120v electric starter.
Who makes the engine? Wouldn't surprise me if that same engine isn't
used in all sorts of equipment, and there isn't a 12V starter available
on one that would just bolt right in. The simple solution would be to just
put the motor on and jump power straight to the starter's terminal from a
nearby car battery (that's what I do with my lawn tractor)
If you wanted to get fancy you could always add a battery holder,
solenoid, key-start etc. :-)
cheers
Jules
As others have mentioned an inverter will work.
I would question the wisdom of spending money on that snow blower.
I'm not knocking Sears, but their products aren't really built for
commercial use. I have owned many Sears products and have always been
satisfied with them. I would not hesitate to recommend their products
to a friend for average use.
A homeowner would likely get many years of satisfactory use out of
that machine. I would be surprised if the thing lasted the season
being used twenty times a day. I live in western Canada and have a
300' driveway. Your friend will probably use that machine as much in
one day as I would use my snowblower in a year.
If your friend is just trying to make a few bucks on the side then go
for it. If he is trying to run a successful business maybe he should
be looking at equipment built for the
task.
LdB
For snowblowers, Sears = MTD, last time I looked. Like you said, good
enough for homeowner, but not likely to live long used for full shifts.
I'm quite happy with my Toro-labeled MTD (24" 2-stage), but my driveway
is only 20x60.
--
aem sends...
Not necessarily true. My bad shoulder made starting my big blower a
problem last year, but operating it was never an issue. I replaced it
with a smaller blower that is easier to start, but takes more work
over-all.
I'd be looking at putting a 12 volt starter on it instead of the 115 -
with no charging system. I'd plug it into the truck for charging. The
battery doesn't need to be very big.. Tecumseh does make 12 volt
starters but I'm not sure if the tooth pitch is the same.
I doubt an inverter/battery on the blower itself would make sense.
I'd start by putting synthetic oil in the thing, that should make it
easier to start. If you still want to keep using it after that and
need easier starting, small generators are made that are two cycle
and can be carried in one hand. I'd spend the money on one of those,
then you could use it for other things.
---
A computer is] like an Old Testament god, with a lot of rules and no mercy. -- Joseph Campbell