Guy posted some great Start O Matic pictures in the Generator Section.  I have a somewhat better understanding of them now.  They have a heavy duty (continuous duty) solenoid  which pushes the rack AND inserts the exhaust valve lifter pin on the same linkage. I wouldn't be surprised if this took 40 lbs or more of force and 1" of throw, given the mechanics involved.  I think it might be spring loaded-  to the shut down position. We'll all know more once Ken's S O M manual with schematics are posted to Guy's web site.

From studying Guy's detailed SOM pictures (thanks again Guy!)  I've saved $39 on a second pneumatic control valve for the decompression valve lifter, as I can tee it off the rack closer valve. That will get my decompression cost down to $13 for the air cylinder alone.  I have to think about the decompression pin via single action air cylinder some more.

Darren, complex load control and such are a long way away.  I'd be happy for just  remote shut down and emergency shut down in case of low oil, high head temp, vibration (overspeed). 

Thanks Shipchief. You're a big asset to this forum. The air cylinders are so cheap, compact and powerful that they are hard to resist, even though for me it is more fun solving a problem in a way that can be readily shared.  There is at least one other guy who got an ebay bargain Gast motor to make an air starter.   

 I recently found: www.aircylindersdirect.com  You can get  any style (like single action spring extension with air retract, for example), any force (calculated by piston diameter and your air pressure)  and exact throw to a fraction of an inch, for about the same price as basic cylinders Grainger. 

Mikeptag, Yes, I tried shutting down the engine with a solenoid valve before the IP.  With proper compression on my engine (another story) it doesn't work.  The engine runs on for a long time on vapors, it seems.  The IP doesn't cavitate and stop immediately unless the shut off is within an inch of hose of the IP banjo inlet, which is physically not possible because of the valve internal configuration of the solenoid valve. 

Thanks so much for the marvelous photos, Guy. I begin to understand the start o matic much better now.

I have a few questions:
Does a massive solenoid or geared motor actuator activate the decompresson pin?

Is the rack closer geared off the same actuator?  It's not clear to me if this is a different actuator.
If it's moved off a separate mechanism which I didn't see, what is it's source of power- solenoid or motor drive?

Thanks again Guy!
Bruce M
Snowflake,AZ
Metro 6/1 (2002)

Drooled all over my keyboard looking at your new Start O Matic pictures.  Those flywheels look positively menacing.  And all set up on a mobile platform! 

What will you do with the cylinder, Guy?  Do you have a parts machine you can scavenge or can it be welded?

Sorry you're bearings didn't fit right Scott.  That sucks.  Let us know how you work it out.
Bruce

Thanks Scott, I just bought it. Too good of a deal (new explosion proof unit) to pass up on.
It's compatible with exploding bolts, Hotater! 

There you go, Shipchief.  You should have decompressed- and you were the one who suggested it in my auto shutdown thread. 

So much for the sanctity of air cut off.

I've got the decompression via pneumo piston about half built this afternoon.  I needed some Lister therapy after "interfacing" with an incompetent power co. RFI investigator (while wearing my community service hat representing two different disabled folks).  Yesterday I "learned" that a non electric barbed wire steel T post fence under the power line was the problem, not the power company,  because when he held his low frequency broad band sniffer near the fence wire it was noisey.  Guess you'd have to be an EE with an EMC background to realize how stupid this was.  I had to put up with 5 hours of this blowhard, and I was wiped out and a wreck today. 

That's great news RSnapper.  Keep us informed, and post us some pictures soon!  I can't wait to see it.

Best Wishes,
Bruce

Quinn, Your analysis was excellent.  For me, I wouldn't compromise the wonderful low speed of the Lister(oids) for a bit more power. I'd instead compromise on loads or add better load management, or go to the 12-2 if the load absolutely required it.

In my own off grid situation, I had to downsize my compressed air generation capacity, in order to use the 6-1.  Since I couldn't reduce demand of my equipment, I'm going to blow some dough on a 500 gallon air storage tank. The occasional coffee break while the Lister/compressor catches up will not be a problem with this large of a tank.  But this keeps the engine much better sized for my AC generation load.

By the way, if someone knows of a good source for 165 psi or better air recievers (tanks), please let me know. I need 30-60 gallons and around 500 gallons (could be several tanks). The best deal I've found so far is through a local propane tank supplier for a new (250 psi) tank. Used air tank(s) in good condition would be fine but the dogs on Ebay are overpriced, 20+ yrs old and in untested, unwaranted condition. Nearly as dangerous as an over speed cast iron flywheel.