Automatic gas vacuum start up and shutdown system

[calvertbrothers]

Hey guy, I am looking to purchase a Indiana vacuum pump with electric start this off season. And wanted to make an automatic turn on and off system. If any of you have don't this, what would I need to get to make it?

[madmapler]

I wanted to do this when I was running on gas as well. You'll need to convert to propane so you won't have to choke it. You can buy 12v refrigeration temp. sensor/switches on ebay super cheap. The snag is in creating a starting circuit that disengages the starter once it's running. I was going to get a wiring schematic of a standby generator and see about copying the start circuit on that. They are available online and IMO.it would definitely be worth doing. I put in power last summer so I'm no longer thinking about it.

[wmick]

I think you could likely get something like this to work for you.
Auto start generator controller

http://www.ebay.com/itm/702K-AS-HC-Auto-Start-Generator-Controller-Board-Panel-Free-Shipping-/252392509159

[wiam]

I think you could likely get something like this to work for you.
Auto start generator controller

http://www.ebay.com/itm/702K-AS-HC-Auto-Start-Generator-Controller-Board-Panel-Free-Shipping-/252392509159

But the generator output is what stops the starter current. Not sure how that could be worked around.

[madmapler]

But the generator output is what stops the starter current. Not sure how that could be worked around.

That being the case probably kills my idea as well. I guess there's the option of running a generator with an electric motor. I still think there has to be a way if it was pondered long enough.

[calvertbrothers]

Could you modify a temperature on off switch from a electric pump? I don't know if that would draw to much juice from the battery.

[wmick]

But the generator output is what stops the starter current. Not sure how that could be worked around.
That might be a bit of a challenge... Wonder if there's some way to "sense" when the unit starts up... EG - Tie into the oil pressure sensor (if it has one) or a vacuum sensor maybe, etc...?? and use a small inverter to create the 120V signal for the controller?

[wmick]

That might be a bit of a challenge... Wonder if there's some way to "sense" when the unit starts up... EG - Tie into the oil pressure sensor (if it has one) or a vacuum sensor maybe, etc...?? and use a small inverter to create the 120V signal for the controller?

Here's an inexpensive air flow sensor that could be plumbed into either your vacuum or the exhaust side of the pump...
16159

[wiam]

Here's an inexpensive air flow sensor that could be plumbed into either your vacuum or the exhaust side of the pump...
16159

Do you have a link for that?

[wiam]

Might have to add a timer for either of these options. Sometimes oil pressure is up when cranking but not running.

[mkoehler79]

I have built my own automatic generator start controller to start our electric start generator with automatic choke to run a motor operated vacuum pump. See attached schematic. 16161

The temperature controller R1 is this device: http://www.ebay.com/itm/141777090187?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The start timer module is this device: http://www.ebay.com/itm/252170243910?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

This device has user adjustable time and count settings; I have it set to turn over the motor for 5 seconds, pause for 3 seconds, and repeat up to a count of 5 start/pause cycles (this count number is user settable on the device as well).

Next year I am hoping to do the same with an electric start gas engine running a vacuum pump directly. To determine the motor is running, I intend to use this sound activated switch to cut out the starter once the engine is "heard" running: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-12V-24V-DC-Sound-Sensor-Light-Control-Relay-Switch-Module-Adjustable-Delay-T1-/252483697250?hash=item3ac9337a62:g:~-4AAOSwZVlXnqUN (currently a 110 VAC relay tied to the generator does this function).

Additionally, I intend to use one more timer module (indicated above) to control the choke on the stand-alone gas engine with a 12V electric door lock actuator available for under $10 on ebay and other places.

This is currently the idea I came up with but am open to suggestions. The current start system for the generator works great...now if only mechanical parts were not frozen with sap upon start-up, I may have a good automatic system!

[wmick]

Might have to add a timer for either of these options. Sometimes oil pressure is up when cranking but not running.
Possibly - Not sure about oil pressure, but on the airflow idea, I'm pretty sure you could easily differentiate between starting condition and running, as it will be very proportional to engine speed...
I noticed on the generator control panel information, that it disengages the starter once the alternator is producing 20HZ... (about 1/3 of full speed). (not sure what a typical cranking rpm would be, before firing.... but it must be less than 1/3 full speed)

[calvertbrothers]

I have built my own automatic generator start controller to start our electric start generator with automatic choke to run a motor operated vacuum pump. See attached schematic. 16161

The temperature controller R1 is this device: http://www.ebay.com/itm/141777090187?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The start timer module is this device: http://www.ebay.com/itm/252170243910?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

This device has user adjustable time and count settings; I have it set to turn over the motor for 5 seconds, pause for 3 seconds, and repeat up to a count of 5 start/pause cycles (this count number is user settable on the device as well).

Next year I am hoping to do the same with an electric start gas engine running a vacuum pump directly. To determine the motor is running, I intend to use this sound activated switch to cut out the starter once the engine is "heard" running: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-12V-24V-DC-Sound-Sensor-Light-Control-Relay-Switch-Module-Adjustable-Delay-T1-/252483697250?hash=item3ac9337a62:g:~-4AAOSwZVlXnqUN (currently a 110 VAC relay tied to the generator does this function).

Additionally, I intend to use one more timer module (indicated above) to control the choke on the stand-alone gas engine with a 12V electric door lock actuator available for under $10 on ebay and other places.

This is currently the idea I came up with but am open to suggestions. The current start system for the generator works great...now if only mechanical parts were not frozen with sap upon start-up, I may have a good automatic system!

Sounds like this could be the ticket.