Electric clutch

[WGB]

Anyone ever use an electric clutch to engage or disengage a DC motor to start a Listeroid? Also you would have some DC output.
I also thought of a VFD controlling a AC motor, you could ramp up slowly to RPM. Then drop out the electric clutch.

I'm just not sure I want to go the automotive starter, ring gear/pressure plate direction.

I need to do something fast, I'm not able to crank start her anymore.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[vdubnut62]

While I've never seen it done, I can't see why it won't, providing a large enough DC motor is used. If you are thinking automotive
type starter motor, I'm not sure how well it would hold up running as a generator.
Here is what I do know, John Deere has implemented an electric clutch for the mower deck on some models for quite a while now.
My Mother has one with a 14hp Kawasaki that is probably 20 years old, I have replaced the electric clutch once, the cost was around $100, IIRC. Vibration worked a wire out of the sealing epoxy and shorted the electric coil.
Woodmizer, a portable band sawmill manufacturer located in Indianapolis IN. also uses an electric clutch on their larger models
to engage the blade. Some of these things run 40-50hp diesels, so I'm pretty sure that a clutch would be available that is large enough to do the job for you.
Ron

[veggie]

Perhaps consider going with a motor, rubber wheel, and pivot plate.
The clutch system you suggest could get fairly complicated and expensive.
The time tested flywheel friction drive has served us roid users quite well.

veggie

[Tom Reed]

Most electric clutches I'm familiar with, like an automotive A/C clutch, are integrated with a 4-5" pulley. The problem with that is that with a starter you need the torque increased, not decreased. Doesn't seem like a good way to go to me. Quick and easy would be to use a starter generator similar to an old cub cadet lawn tractor. Just belt it up to the flywheel and use a push button to crank her and once she starts it generates 20 amps max to recharge the battery. I think you could put one of those together for around $150 for the motor/generator and voltage regulator. I have a Wisconsin s-7-d engine on a Bolens Husky 800 tractor and it works well, except for the significant drag on the engine. These are designed to spin up to 10k rpm.

[Ronmar]

4"-5" pulley up to a 24" flywheel sounds like a pretty good ratio.  Not all that different than the 3"-4" rubber wheels in direct drive/friction apps...  The clutch would be engaged before torque is applied, so it should work.  The hard part would be coupling clutch to motor I suppose.  A sprauge clutch would also work, but should be the type that fully retracts the dogs when no drive motor torque is applied. When not in use, the drag would be minimal, just the belt and pully running on a free spinning bearing.

I also like the friction wheel starter, either electric or air powered. Brutally simple, fewer moving parts, and nothing riding on the flywheel like a starter belt, when not in use...

[WGB]

Thanks for all the good info and ideas.

I was thinking industrial DC motor belted to engine, electric clutch would be to cut drag.

I didn't want friction wheel because of the mechanical linkage, or a lever activation.
I went back and looked at some of the friction starters, nice work, but looked more involved.
May ponder that option again!

Thought I could do it easier electricly?
Plate with motor and clutch.
V-belt
Wire & Switch
Done, maybe, LOL
Also would be ground work for control of air or refrigeration compressor.

[wiebe]

Is it not something to take a normal dril with a wheel on it .

[mobile_bob]

just get rid of that nasty old lister/oid and buy a changfa, and call it a day!

(there really is no question that changfa is not the answer for)



bob g

[Henry W]

An electric start Changfa. For the money what more do you want. It will do the work and than some.

Henry

[WGB]

JEEEEZZZZ guys!
I have a Changfa TOO
Look at my Avitar! LOL

[mobile_bob]

i knew you had one, but couldn't pass up the chance to both rib you, and promote the mighty changfa

"long live the mighty changfa"



bob g